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Washington Street Vision Plan, Part 3

Continue reading here. This section includes: Scenarios that help visualize which zoning tools are preferred; Scenarios that help visualize street sections; Implementation recommendations.
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newton.gal Mar 5 2019 at 10:38PM on page 13

Suggestion
Biking and walking are hard in the winter.

Please keep in mind that the Green Bike program in Newton has been in place for more than a year, I believe. I've seen a grand total of about 5 people riding Green Bikes. Please review the Green Bike utilization statistics before Newton puts too much money into building bike lanes.

newton.gal Mar 5 2019 at 10:33PM on page 7

Question
Where is the evidence that narrower streets will result in slower car traffic and safer streets?

Beethoven Ave is narrow, and Beethoven Ave is on the top 10 list of most accident prone streets in Newton.

newton.gal Mar 5 2019 at 10:23PM on page 2

Suggestion
No, this plan does not do a good job integrating into the existing neighborhoods. This plan is missing a traffic study that quantifies how much more traffic is anticipated on the various existing streets. This plan is missing a parking study that quantifies how much overflow parking is expected to spillover onto existing side streets.

newton.gal Mar 5 2019 at 10:18PM on page 2

Suggestion
Please specify the size of a parking area like this. How many cars can park here? Will there be a restriction on how long cars can park here?

Overall, how many parking spaces does this Washington Street proposal plan for (for both resident parking, overnight/visitor parking, and parking for the various planned shops/restaurants)?

Overall, this plan does not seem to include nearly enough parking spots.

Julia Malakie Mar 5 2019 at 7:13PM on page 1

Question
Why is commenting not closed on this portion and the Zoning Toolkit? Are you still compiling comments on these sections, even with Draft 2 out??
in reply to quar-ti.er's comment

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 2:07AM on page 3

I watched a short documentary about a traffic circle in a major city. As I recall, it was included in one of the PBS series entitled "10 that...." (It *may* have been "10 towns that ..." ) The circle included on and off ramps to a highway as well as access to and from streets that connected to the traffic circle. Not pedestrian friendly. They essentially did away with the traffic circle by changing the configuration of the highway's entrances and exits. The new space housed a public park and buildings, the designs of which were pedestrian friendly. This provided a wonderful community space for people who lived in the area and/or worked in the area. Accident rates diminished. The air was cleaner.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:43AM on page 3

Sounds good!

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:33AM on page 1

Sounds good!
in reply to Tarik Lucas's comment

mhalle Dec 3 2018 at 1:32AM on page 6

sarlenshep, not sure what you mean. Kids ride (and walk) here all the time right now, and even more will do so if Washington St becomes more residential.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:31AM on page 2

Like this concept! Add some planters at ground level.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:30AM on page 2

Like the building style!

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:29AM on page 2

Suggestion
Cries out for some "ever-greenery." There are ways to combine multi-story buildings with some type of greenery to keep the general feel of the "Garden City."

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:25AM on page 1

Question
Is this area a courtyard type of place?

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:24AM on page 1

Ground level needs a little variety, a small alcove. Part of the building set back a tad, some "ever-greenery."

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:22AM on page 1

I like having the top floor set back a little.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:21AM on page 1

I like having the top floor set back a little.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:19AM on page 1

Question
Is this a section where retail stores would be limited to certain width/size? That was mentioned by the presenters during one of the public planning sessions as a way of keeping small, independent shops and restaurants in Newton.

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 1:13AM on page 1

Question
The loop on the north side of the Pike has been eliminated in this plan, yes?
in reply to Jay Walter's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 3 2018 at 12:49AM on page 16

I agree, upper story setbacks are a great tool to keep streetscapes human scaled.
in reply to Pam's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 3 2018 at 12:47AM on page 16

I would like to hear more about who you think is ruining our town centers and overcrowding our schools. I don't see that happening.

Melissa Dec 3 2018 at 12:01AM on page 19

Suggestion
Historical preservation is not at all important to me. Affordable, environmentally friendly buildings are.

Melissa Dec 2 2018 at 11:58PM on page 18

Suggestion
High quality, environmentally responsible, intelligently designed buildings are waaaaaay more important to me than stuffy historical preservation, which is also often financially expensive/wasteful, and quite frankly ugly.
in reply to Tarik Lucas's comment

sarlenshep Dec 2 2018 at 11:38PM on page 6

This is kind if ludicrous because no child I know can walk or bike the mile or two or three or four miles home with two heavy backpacks

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:35PM on page 14

Please please, lets try this next summer!!!!

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:35PM on page 13

Yes please!!!! protected lanes on both sides is much better for all types of trips vs two-way on one side.
in reply to lsanchez's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:33PM on page 7

Developers are not waiting...we need to get the zoning right now (technically it should have been better before Austin and Washington Place but whatever). So this needs to move forward because I guarantee you developers are getting their financing in line now and we need something better than a piecemeal plan.
in reply to Shule's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:32PM on page 3

I think a lot of people agree that maximizing affordability should be a goal. Excited about the inclusionary zoning revamp and what it can do to help us expand affordable housing and middle incoming housing (which is needed too!).

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:32PM on page 7

I like this option, not sure its financially feasible but really worth exploring for sure!
in reply to John R's comment

Kelley Dec 2 2018 at 11:31PM on page 11

If we are serious about transit improvements, we need to be mindful of bus operations, including bus lanes, signal priority, etc.
in reply to Julia Malakie's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:28PM on page 1

The survey demographics don't even match with newtonville's demographics! Let alone the other villages. It is a good data point, but that is what it is a data point. Come back when there is a survey that actually does better at matching demographics of the area in question and then we can talk. And indeed, that is Newtonville, are views similar in West Newton? I am sure, which is why it remains and should remain an important data point but should not be driving decisions.
in reply to John R's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:28PM on page 4

I don't think we have any obligation to make them feel like using our local streets is a better option.
in reply to suebottino's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:27PM on page 5

LOVE this building.
in reply to Tarik Lucas's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:26PM on page 6

A great way to get more kids and parents to not drive would be making this area more walkable and bikeable. It won't get rid of every car obviously, but we could make a dent.

fignewtonville Dec 2 2018 at 11:25PM on page 7

The impact of two large impending developments (Austin St. and Washington Place) on traffic, walkability and parking needs to be assessed before considering further development in this area. Until then, green space would be most appropriate and welcome.
in reply to Jay Walter's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:25PM on page 1

indeed...but its a worthy option to explore I think
in reply to Lis's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:24PM on page 7

The stairway from Hell to the Newtonville commuter rail needs to be made accessible, regardless of any other changes. But we should do it in a way that leaves the door open to service upgrades, which are also necessary in the long run.

Melissa Dec 2 2018 at 11:23PM on page 16

Suggestion
More affordable housing seems to be a ubiquitous goal for most people in talk to. Lots of debate on how to achieve that. Thinking about places like Cambridge that have progressive, innovative examples of ways to create walkable, diverse, green spaces, it seems it is key to have a strong commercial economy for efficient city revenue, and in order to have that you need enough density to support the businesses. I'm not sure if I know of any city's that have successfully provided more diversity and affordable housing without a strong commercial presence and high density housing. I do think public transportation is hugely important (and problematic given the current state) with increase in commercial and high density ~ since public transit infrastructure is notoriously expensive, it seems important to be working with the mbta and pushing negotiations with developers with public transportation improvement in mind.

aconant Dec 2 2018 at 11:23PM on page 1

Suggestion
This proposal is way too dense. Residents must be allowed to decide if this is what they envision for the city.
in reply to lsanchez's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:22PM on page 8

This is our opportunity to plan for our future. Anyone hoping to develop land will have to adhere to the zoning decisions made through this process.

Although zoning can only do so much, so whether a rental space ends up continuing to be occupied by the Post Office is beyond city government's control.

aconant Dec 2 2018 at 11:22PM on page 1

Suggestion
Residents never asked the city to increase the density and height of buildings nor the population. Residents did not request that the City change the villages into urban enclaves and intersperse apartment buildings next to our homes. We want to preserve our properties as is and preserve our community and villages. The Mayor never mentioned in her campaign for office that she would transform the city and add thousands to our population. I will not vote for the Mayor if this plan is approved.
in reply to Beth Smith's comment

fignewtonville Dec 2 2018 at 11:17PM on page 7

Agreed. Demand needs to be determined before commercial (and residential) projects are considered.
in reply to Shule's comment

Kelley Dec 2 2018 at 11:15PM on page 4

What we have now is run-down, obsolete former industrial spaces and surface parking lots. I think a well-designed apartment tower, perhaps over a parking garage, would be appropriate adjacent to the turnpike on the west end of West Newton. This isn't really part of the village area that most people are thinking of.

lsanchez Dec 2 2018 at 11:13PM on page 8

Newtonville residents are just learning that our post office land has been bought by the Developer. Where is our post office going to be relocated? Is this just a beginning of what the proposed development plans will do to our village. And what's to be built on that space. Is that included in this plan we are reviewing?

LightingDP Dec 2 2018 at 11:10PM on page 11

Suggestion
I basically like the Courtyard concepts, especially underground parking, not surface parking. Single driver cars are not sustainable, we need to think differently. More bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities of all type PLEASE.
in reply to Helen D Nayar's comment

Kelley Dec 2 2018 at 11:10PM on page 4

Not my preference either, but it appears they are responding to an existing highway - just like we are. To get this much green space on top looks like a great improvement compared with an open highway boat section.
in reply to Jane Hanser's comment

fignewtonville Dec 2 2018 at 11:09PM on page 3

I share these concerns.

lsanchez Dec 2 2018 at 11:09PM on page 7

Newtonville residents already have two huge building projects underway of which most of us are very skeptical, the Austin St condos and the Washington St apartments (4-5 stories I think we were told). Let's wait until those are completed to get a sense of what the massive construction proposed might look like.

Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 11:07PM on page 4

Transformation over incremental efforts.

jfitz0807 Dec 2 2018 at 11:07PM on page 17

Question
Why is there nothing about new schools? With all this new development our school-age population will most certainly increase.

Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 11:06PM on page 4

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