Natick Center Plan

Start to think about the following questions:

Are there changes you would like to see in Natick Center?

Could new development fill gaps in housing, jobs, and amenities?

Could transportation improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists improve the vitality of Natick Center?

Selection of recent planning studies and associated implementation: 1980-90s: Facilities Plan saw implementation of upgraded

Town Common, Morse Library addition, new Town Hall, new Police/Fire HQ

1990s: Market study and parking study 1997: Design Master Plan 2000s: Parking studies Today: Several new developments; parking recommendations

implementation

We’re here to help the Town develop a cohesive vision for the future of Natick Center, incorporating previous planning efforts, new analysis, and your input.

How do you get to work?Please place a sticker on all that apply

Natick Center Plan

I drive I take the commuter rail

I walk I take the bus

I bike I work from home / I don’t work / Other

-2000

-1500

-1000

-500

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

26255 133

-223

949

-535

2

-199

633

1164

-254

-1029

66

1

-77

-41

20-34 35-54 55-74 75 Plus

Multi-Family Own Multi-Family Rent Single Family Own Single Family Rent

Natick Center Plan

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 203026,000

27,000

28,000

29,000

30,000

31,000

32,000

33,000

34,000

35,000

36,000

Town of Natick – Total PopulationOver last 30 years, Natick’s population grew by 12%. Over the next 20 years it is expected to grow by an additional 5.5%. Over the next 20 years, the majority of growth in Natick is expected to occur among people older than 65, followed by 20-34 year olds

Multi-family units are in demand within Natick especially among 20 to 34 year olds. Single family units are also in demand but much of this demand will be met by housing stock freed up by older age cohorts.

Many seniors wish to remain in their communities as they age. Many 20-34 year olds want walkable, mixed-use communities. Can Natick Center help meet the needs of these groups and others?

Natick’s population is growing and changing

Source: US Census, housing.ma, MAPC projections

Change in Housing Unit Demand 2010-2020By Age Group

Natick Center Plan

Natick’s households are changing

Source: US Census, housing.ma, MAPC projections

1990 2000 2010 2020 20302.1

2.15

2.2

2.25

2.3

2.35

2.4

2.45

2.5

2.55

2.6

Town of Natick – Average Household SizeThe average number of persons per household is expected to shrink through the year 2030.

2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

100

200

300

400

500

600

32 29 24 26

66

Single-Family

Multi-Family

Town of Natick Residential Building Permits

Between 2000 and 2012, the number of building permits for single family homes has been remained steady with a recent increase. Demand for multi-family housing has shot up in recent years.

With the population projected to increase and household size shrinking, there will be a need for smaller housing units for everyone from young workers to seniors.

Natick Center Plan

Over last 10 years, Natick’s school age population grew by about 17%.

Town of Natick Impact of Selected Multi-Family Developments on School Enrollment

Newer multi-family developments have contributed 172 new students to the school system. The total student population in Natick is 5,368.

Natick has 66.6% single family units and 63% family households. Natick public schools estimate that the majority of their new students are coming from single family homes (75%). Newer multi-family development in the downtown can help to increase the market for additional retail and restaurants while having less of an impact on school enrollment than single family housing.

A Closer Look at School Enrollment

Source: MA DESE, Natick Public Schools, ACS 2010-2014 5 Year Estimates

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

4000

4200

4400

4600

4800

5000

5200

5400

5600

4577 46204567

46484721 4734

4825

4947

5065

52855368

Name of Development Total Units % 1 Bed % 2 Bed % 3 BedActual Students

(November 2015)

Natick Modera 150 44% 52% 4% 10

South Natick Hills 268 9% 72% 19% 39

42 South Avenue 11 0% 82% 18% 0

Castle Courtyard 23 22% 52% 26% 2

8 Grant Street 24 4% 92% 4% 10

Walnut Place 57/58 North Avenue 41 22% 78% 0% 10

Natick Mills-60 North Main Street 83 40% 54% 6% 29

Cloverleaf 183 54% 46% 0% 21

10 & 40 Nouvelle Way 215 21% 63% 16% 6

Avalon Natick 407 53% 47% 0% 45

20 South Ave 24 0% 50% 50% 0

172

School Enrollment

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Typical inbound weekday boardings

Natick Center Station Access by Mode (2008-09)

Natick Center PlanSources: MBTA System-wide Passenger Survey, 2008 2009. CTPS

MBTA Blue Book, 2013

Natick’s commuter rail station is a valued asset

Natick Center is less than 18 miles from downtown Boston. After a drop between 2007-2010, ridership has risen strongly, growing 60% from 2010 through 2013.

Drive28%

Walk60%

Drop Off9%

Bike2%

Shuttle1%

A strong majority of people walk to Natick Center Station, a figure that may rise as housing increases in the area.

How could walking to Natick Center be made safer, more accessible, and comfortable? How could biking be further encouraged?

VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALHOUSING CHOICES

What housing typesdo you like? What housing types might YOU, YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR PARENTS NEED in the future?

(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it and write number on dot (5 per person). (3)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.

2 -Cluster Housing

3 - Modern Townhouse

7 - Multi-Family, Large Scale

8 – Multi-Family, Small to Medium Scale

4 - Single-Family, Modest Scale

5 – Housing above ground-floor retail

9 – Multi-Family, Large Scale

12 – Housing above Ground-Floor Retail

10 - Single Family

14 - Townhomes

15 - Townhouses

17- Housing above retail

1 - Two-Family Homes

6 - Multi-Family, Medium Scale

11 - Townhouses

19 – Housing above retail

13 - Attached Multi-Family

18 - Town homes

16 - Single Family, (Large scale)

VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALHOUSING CHOICES

What housing typesdo you like? What housing types might YOU, YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR PARENTS NEED in the future?

(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it (5 per person). (3)WRITE NUMBERon dot. (4)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.

VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALRETAIL, SERVICES & BUSINESSES

What types of retail and commercial buildings would you like to see in Natick Center?

RED DOTS RED DOTS

1 - Residential & Retail

2 - Office + Retail

9 - Automobile Sales / Commercial

11 - Commercial / Light Industrial

16 - Retail + Residential

13 – Mixed-Use: Retail + Residential

5 - Retail

6 – Office, Stand-alone 12 - Mixed Use: Retail + Residential, 4-5 Story

10 - Mixed-Use: Retail + Commercial, Four Story

8 - Light Industrial / Commercial / Office

4 – Retail + Office

18 - Automotive

17 - Office

3 - Office, Modern

14 - Office, Modern

7 - Retail, Stand-alone

15 - Retail, Single Story

(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it and write number on dot (5 per person). (3)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.

VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALRETAIL, SERVICES & BUSINESSES

What types of retail and commercial buildings would you like to see in Natick Center?

(1) PLACE RED DOTS on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo).(2) PLACE RED DOTSon MAPwhere you want it (5 per person). (3)WRITE NUMBERon dot. (4)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.

Priorities: What types of businesses would you like in Natick Center?

Natick Center Plan

DOTS CATEGORY COMMENTS (e.g., preferred locations)

Grocery Store

Additional restaurants

Pubs, bars, wine bars

Cafes, Bakeries, Coffee Shops

Clothing stores

Professional offices(Accountant, Lawyer, Dentist, etc.)

Specialty retail(boutiques, crafts, jewelry, etc.)Daily needs and services(Dry cleaner, daycare, pharmacy, bank, etc.)

Pick your top 4 by adding a dot next to your choices (one per category). Add additional comments in the space provided

(e.g., more specific recommendations)

Transportation Improvements

Natick Center Plan

What transportation improvements are needed in Natick Center?1. On the map, mark:

• Dangerous / challenging intersections• Sidewalk improvement / construction locations• Needed crosswalk locations• Needed bicycle facilities (bike lanes, sharrows, etc.)• Needed bike racks• Vehicular issues• Streets used as cut-through routes• Areas that could potentially benefit from a residential parking permit

2. Use sticky notes to write additional comments, suggestions, and priorities• In particular, what parking challenges do you have? (For example, is

during the day versus night a bigger problem? At the library? Other locations?)

Main Street Parking

Natick Center Plan

• 42 parking spaces• More dangerous for

drivers and cyclists• Load/unload in street• Retains existing

number of spaces

• 42 parking spaces• Safer for drivers and

cyclists• Load/unload on

sidewalk• Retains existing

number of spaces

• 31 parking spaces• Safer for drivers and

cyclists• Additional 8’ of

space for cafe seating, benches, or landscaping

Existing ConditionAngle Parking

Alternative 1Reverse Angle Parking

Alternative 2Parallel Parking

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