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Commissioners push back on map expansion into steep, non-walkable neighborhoods
Summary
Members raised concerns that proposed Tier 1B expansions include parcels that are not walkable or are constrained by steep slopes, underpasses and flood zones—factors that could reduce the practical benefit of a Tier 1B designation.
Commissioners repeatedly questioned whether parcels added to the proposed Tier 1B area would be genuinely walkable to Ludlow’s Village or simply expand the map into steep, undercut or flood-prone areas. "It is not walkable to the Village," Commissioner Terry Carter said while pointing to South Hill as an area of concern.
MARC planner Kellen Appleton responded that many of the added parcels have pedestrian bottlenecks, steep grades or underpasses that complicate pedestrian access: "All of the areas that she has added have pedestrian bottlenecks, steep or underpasses." Commissioners noted that slopes under about 15 percent still substantially increase development cost and reduce viable housing outcomes. They asked MARC to avoid including parcels where infrastructure or topography would make meaningful walkable connections impractical and requested a tighter, more compact expansion that prioritizes parcels closest to town services and transit.
