Smart Growth in Burrillville, RISmart Growth in Burrillville, RI

                      

                     Who We AreWho We Are

MissionMission

How We Get it DoneHow We Get it Done

Who We AreWho We Are

Statewide non-profit organizationStatewide non-profit organization Diverse coalition of interestsDiverse coalition of interests

MissionMission

Promote patterns of development that……Promote patterns of development that……

- Revitalize city & town centers- Revitalize city & town centers

- Preserve cultural and natural resources- Preserve cultural and natural resources

- Expand economic opportunity for all Rhode - Expand economic opportunity for all Rhode IslandersIslanders

How We Get it DoneHow We Get it Done

Policy Reform / AdvocacyPolicy Reform / Advocacy Information / EducationInformation / Education Helping MunicipalitiesHelping Municipalities

What is Smart Growth?What is Smart Growth?

1. Thriving City and Town Centers

2. Neighborhood Livability

3. Better Access, Less Traffic

4. Keeping Open Space Open

5. Citizen Participation in Planning

6. Lower Costs, Lower Taxes

Thriving City & Town CentersThriving City & Town Centers• Direct investment & economic development to

existing community centers• Foster distinctive, attractive communities with

a strong sense of place.

Neighborhood LivabilityNeighborhood Livability• Compact & walkable• Range of housing types and prices• Convenient to services

Better Access, Less TrafficBetter Access, Less Traffic

• Emphasis on mixing land uses• Providing a variety of transportation choices

• Connecting new development to existing

Keeping Open Space OpenKeeping Open Space Open

• Smart growth protects and preserves rapidly vanishing open space, farmland and forests

Citizen ParticipationCitizen Participation• Citizens and stakeholders participate in

development decisions that are predictable, fair and cost-effective

Lower Public & Private CostsLower Public & Private Costs

• Sprawl costs money• Taking advantage of existing infrastructure

conserves resources and keeps taxes down

Today’s MissionToday’s Mission

To protect and enhance Burrillville’s quality of life, To protect and enhance Burrillville’s quality of life, economic vitality and authentic character created by economic vitality and authentic character created by its historic villages and by its farms, forests and its historic villages and by its farms, forests and open spaces.open spaces.

Open Spaces - Sweets Hill on East Avenue

Downtown Pascoag

We are here to discuss:We are here to discuss:

1.1. The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning

densities within the Town of Burrillville;densities within the Town of Burrillville;

2.2. Traditional neighborhood patterns / designsTraditional neighborhood patterns / designs

3.3. Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to

encourage smart growth for the future.encourage smart growth for the future.

Burrillville Zoning Map

Continuing:Continuing:

1.1. The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning

densities within the Town of Burrillville;densities within the Town of Burrillville;

2.2. Existing structures and neighborhoodsExisting structures and neighborhoods

3.3. Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to

encourage smart growth for the future.encourage smart growth for the future.

Historic elements will be incorporated into new construction – Proposed Dunkin Donuts in Pascoag

Existing buildings serve as a guide

Mixed-use structures are Mixed-use structures are required – nothing new to required – nothing new to BurrillvilleBurrillville

Traditional NeighborhoodsTraditional Neighborhoods

Acceptable Unacceptable

Grid pattern streets provide multiple escape routes for vehicular traffic and therefore disseminate traffic more efficiently than cul-de-sacs

Whitney Estates - a modern day suburban subdivision

The Remington Plat, locally known as Oakland, is a traditional grid pattern neighborhood. An example of what the VPD supports.

Hauser Field -

Pascoag Grid Pattern

The VPD mandates useable open space such as Town Commons or field space.

Similar to the pattern found in Pascoag adjacent to Hauser Field

Useable open space adds value to communities.

Target lot areas where the VPD would benefit. The logical expansion of Pascoag Village is to the east towards Harrisville.

The observed disconnection between Edgewood Road and Paula Drive would not comply with VPD objectives

Disconnect delays emergency response

Finally, let us discuss:Finally, let us discuss:

1.1. The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning The Burrillville Zoning Map and varying zoning

densities within the Town of Burrillville;densities within the Town of Burrillville;

2.2. Existing structures and neighborhoodsExisting structures and neighborhoods

3.3. Highlights of proposed VPD ordinanceHighlights of proposed VPD ordinance

Highlights of the Village Planned Highlights of the Village Planned Development OrdinanceDevelopment Ordinance

Replicates existing village neighborhoods

Offers density bonus as a reward for locating development adjacent to village neighborhoods

Density bonus supports affordable housing (20% is required)

Mixed-use buildings are required

Cul-de-sacs are not allowed

Fully-planned and reviewed by Planning Board to ensure health, safety and welfare – absolved from zoning board of review

Challenges for the Development CommunityChallenges for the Development Community

1. RIDEM jurisdictional wetland areas give us less land to work with (50, 100 and 200 foot setbacks prevail)

3. Incorporating Historic features, i.e., old growth trees, stone walls, vacant historic buildings.

2. Developing grid connections amidst Natural Constraints (ledge outcrops, slopes >15% and wetland areas)

www.www.BurrillvilleBurrillville.org.org

www.growsmartri.comwww.growsmartri.com

345 South Main StreetProvidence, RI 02903

273-5711

Jflaherty@growsmartri.com