Developers, architects show revised Village Hall / Main Street concept; trustees worry about parking

EMA Properties and HPM Architects returned to the board with a revised concept plan for the Village Hall site at 874 Main Street, presenting a mixed-use design intended to fit downtown character and activate Main Street.

The development team said the plan breaks a large structure into a sequence of two- and three-story masses with ground-floor retail and upper-floor residential. The presenters described a residential count in the concept of roughly 40–42 units and said parking is planned conceptually across Main Street in the municipal lot; they discussed the potential for a parking agreement between the municipality and the developer rather than additional curb cuts on Main Street.

"We're taking a look at what you guys have in town right now," an architect said, noting an intent to match downtown materials, punched windows and storefront rhythms. Trustees praised the design changes while repeatedly pressing the applicant on parking, accessibility and the risk that municipal events could conflict with residential parking demand.

Trustees suggested bringing the village’s preservation and historic-advisory groups into the design review and raising the possibility of future phases to address parking through a structured garage or TIF. The developer said parking and traffic studies would be provided at their cost during subsequent review steps and that they would pursue an agreement designating municipal parking stalls for the project. Staff and trustees agreed the concept moves in the board’s desired aesthetic direction but noted several logistics remain unresolved.

The board did not take action on the concept; trustees asked the applicants to return with additional studies and called for continued coordination between the developer, staff and advisory committees.