SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. Presentation by Jennifer Raitt, Town of Arlington Chapter 40B Conference, May 4, 2018

Transcription

1 SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Presentation by Jennifer Raitt, Town of Arlington Chapter 40B Conference, May 4, 2018

2 Presentation Overview Planning Issues and Opportunities Recent Zoning Success Stories Lessons Learned

3 Planning Issues and Opportunities

4 Housing Production Plan

5 Housing Production Plan

6 Housing Production Plan

7 A Bylaw Success Story - Part 1

8 Arlington Master Plan Residential Challenges/ Issues Make regulatory changes to address strategic goals and recommendations in Arlington s Master Plan Control the size and scope of development in existing residential neighborhoods Existing steep downward sloping driveways

9 Residential Study Group Priorities Current priorities: Construction impacts Parking, driveways and streetscape Future priorities: Building setbacks Development on irregular lots Building height Special permit / variance process Consider design guidance New excavation permit requirements

10 This map was produced using information from Zoning Board of Appeals files, Inspectional Services Department records, Arlington s Inventory of Architecturally and/or Historically Significant Properties, and Arlington GIS.

11 Arlington Steeply Town Sloping Meeting Driveways Article 8 Steep downward sloping driveways are a safety hazard: o o o Driver cannot see pedestrians when backing out Difficult to use in icy conditions In winter, cars parked at the top of the driveway block the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians onto the street Leading authorities recommend capping residential driveway slope at 15% or less for safety reasons: o o o o Town of Arlington Engineering Division Massachusetts Department of Transportation National Highway Institute Institute of Transportation Engineers

12 This suite of Articles adopted at 2017 Annual Town Meeting constituted components of a Residential Construction Control Agreement to: Codify Town Bylaw rules and regulations and Add new rules that address a range of concerns expressed by residents abutting new construction activities. The Town Bylaw sections addressed were related to Residential Construction, Open Excavation and Demolition Regulations, specifically: Article 11 Neighbor Notification Article 12 The Good Neighbor Agreement Abutter and Public Property Protections Article 13 Article 14 Building Site Maintenance Noise Abatement

13 A Bylaw Success Story - Part 2

14 Implementing the Master Plan Recodify and update the Zoning Bylaw As a first step in any zoning revisions following a new master plan focus on instituting a good regulatory foundation: structure, format, ease of navigation, updated language and definitions, and statutory and case law consistency. Endorsed by Town Meeting in Spring 2015.

15 Describing the Status Quo Since 1977, 442 amendments passed. The last comprehensive clean up was in 1975 and, as a result, the zoning bylaw was riddled with problems. Few people benefit from the bylaw in its current form. Outdated Difficult to navigate... Costs residents time and money in legal fees Staff provide hours of guidance. It is not a comprehensible document.

16 Describing the Status Quo Not everyone sees the status quo the same way.

17 Describing the Status Quo Two analyses exposed the many flaws in our existing Zoning Bylaw starting in 2014 and updated in Unreadable tables - 20 columns in a table in 8 point type Footnotes footnotes loaded with requirements and exceptions Lengthy and disorganized parking regulations Out of sync with the Zoning Act (MGL c40a) + local rules

18 Describing the Status Quo CAN YOU EASILY FIND REQUIREMENTS, DEFINITIONS, ETC.?

19 Describing the Status Quo IS THE EXISTING ZONING BYLAW A USABLE & UNDERSTANDABLE REFERENCE DOCUMENT?

20 Describing the Status Quo STATUS QUO = WHO BENEFITS? The existing bylaw confuses residents and others who interface with it. The existing bylaw is difficult to use. The existing bylaw doesn t keep pace with modern times. The iterative drafting process of the proposed bylaw which brings us here tonight showed us how flawed our bylaw is and that it is even more problematic to maintain status quo.

21 The Recodification Process 18 months 49 stakeholder interviews 1 meeting of multiple Town boards, commission, and staff 2 public forums 9 nights of office hours 3 nights of hearings 4 neighborhood meetings 3 outside professionals helping (legal, zoning experts) 100s of hours of volunteer time, including 3 TMMs 100s of comments incorporated

22 The Proposed Bylaw Basic Provisions Districts & Uses Standards Section 1. Purposes and Authority Section 2. Definitions Section 3. Administration & Enforcement Section 4. Establishment of Districts Section 5. District Regulations Section 6. Site Development Standards Section 7. Special Permits Section 8. Special Regulations

23 The Proposed Bylaw Improves navigability through reorganization and formatting. Conforms with M.G.L. c40a

24 The Proposed Bylaw Lessened legalese. Language easier to understand for residents, contractors, designers, boards, and staff. A searchable, hyperlinked document with user guides.

25 A Close Call The Proposed Bylaw

26 Lessons Learned Use an Advisory/ Working Group Develop Clearly Defined Goals Use Data/ Evidence of Why Change is Needed Map out a Timeline, Communications, and Outreach Plan Establish Regular Opportunities to Discuss the Project/ Proposal When Ready to Adopt: Clarify the Status Quo and Why/ How Changes will be Beneficial When Ready to Adopt: Be Prepared to Be Responsive and Flexible, within the project scope Short-Term Changes Long-Range Plan (Think: Springboard for More Policy Change)

27 Thank you! Jennifer Raitt Town of Arlington Director of Planning & Community Development /