Planning board advances West Main redevelopment mapping and flood‑hazard options
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Summary
Planners presented updated aerial mapping that reassigns parcels to the West Main/Bridge Street redevelopment area and the board discussed flood‑hazard responses including home elevation, transfer of development rights (TDR), and park acquisitions as part of a resilience strategy.
Planner Mike (board engineer) presented aerial mapping and the council27s resolution that realigned several lots to the West Main Street redevelopment area, and recommended the planning board use updated aerials to focus redevelopment discussion.
"What you have in your package is the resolution from council doing that and with the study you have that added the police building," the planner said, noting the clean dividing line at Bridge Street. He suggested producing larger aerials for the board's review.
The board devoted substantial discussion to flood‑hazard policy for parcels along Park Avenue and the riverfront. Members and flood committee representatives explored options to allow lawfully preexisting residential properties to repair or raise homes without triggering a full land‑development process, including targeted allowances to raise foundations and streamlined review for properties affected by repeated flooding.
Several members proposed leveraging transfer of development rights (TDR) to concentrate growth in redevelopment zones while enabling buyouts or park conversions (Blue Acres/Green Acres) for repeatedly flooded properties. One member suggested creating an opt‑in program and a possible fund to facilitate acquisitions for public open space. Members also directed staff to prepare focused homework: evaluate the northern triangle (Main to High, Grove to Park) as an initial boundary for redevelopment revisions and bring an 11x17 aerial for the next meeting.
Board members also raised practical constraints: federal flood insurance limits and the long‑term implications of repeated claims, and the need to craft ordinance language that helps homeowners stay while limiting undesirable expansions. Planner Mike agreed to draft language that could streamline rehabilitation and elevation for lawfully preexisting structures and to provide mapping and options for the next meeting.
