West Concord Advisory Committee advances master-plan matrix, sets parking outreach and consultant coordination

The West Concord Advisory Committee spent much of its Nov. 6 meeting advancing work on the West Concord master-plan implementation matrix, assessing completed and partially completed streetscape projects, and laying out a plan to survey businesses about parking patterns.

Susan Molodozanek said the committee is aiming to finish the matrix and extract recommendations that could be shared with consultants working on the town’s MCI Concord visioning and zoning process. Elizabeth (staff) said the town will hire a community-engagement consultant to partner with the planning consultant and that the committee’s input would be valuable to include in the consultant package.

Committee members reviewed specific matrix rows and local projects. Junction Park and Bandaroli Pocket Park were described as largely complete; members noted outstanding small repairs (stairs/brickwork) but said recent renovations had substantially improved those spaces. Multiple stretches of Main Street/Comm Ave were judged partially complete: pedestrian lighting and planter work are present in places, but the group repeatedly flagged missing benches, inconsistent street furniture and opportunities for additional plantings.

Members debated a recurring idea to remove some on-street parking to create a bike lane or expanded outdoor seating. Anna Feldwick suggested surveying business owners first; Barbara Morse and others recommended short, consistent interview questions so the committee can compare responses across commercial pockets. Susan proposed each member suggest five candidate questions; she will consolidate them into a 5–7 question form for field use and assign geographic pockets to committee members.

Other items: Maple Court was confirmed to be a private road outside town jurisdiction and therefore not a priority for town-funded improvements; the former New Leaf property has been purchased by Jennifer Schulman, who plans a retail-first-floor redevelopment and will be invited to discuss plans with the committee. Members noted Bradford Street as a promising location for additional sidewalks and parallel parking, while Harrell Street was described as too narrow to accommodate major improvements without larger property changes.

Next steps: the committee will complete the remaining matrix rows at the Dec. 4 meeting, Susan will consolidate business-survey questions and assign outreach pockets, and Elizabeth said she will share information about business improvement district (BID) formation to inform longer-term coordination with local merchants.