Have you heard in the local paper about the Route 6 Corridor Study? The story mentions a few aspects of the study recommendations from the commissioned firm Fitzgerald and Halliday. It mentions that the study draft recommendations include recommendations to make Route 6 more "walkable". I'm not sure the study was necessary to reach that conclusion as one can clearly see that some of the major intersections lack proper crosswalks as well as functional crossing signals. But as our former city planner Alan Weiner once stated, the study IS NOT about traffic but instead about DEVELOPMENT along this corridor. Specifically, the Draft Recommendations of the plan refers to walkability as to, "Encourage compact, mixeduse,
and walkable
commercial centers/clusters."Not surprisingly, this plan for Route 6 appears to have been coordinated with some regional transportation planning. The study map seems to indicate that there are three new proposed bus shelters and a pull-off within a quarter mile of the city's methadone clinic. So it is not surprising to see that the city study suggests to "encourage compact, mixed-use clusters" near these transit stops.
This is completely in line with the state's growth principles to, "Expand Housing Opportunities, Concentrate Development Around Transportation Nodes and Corridors and Promote Integrated Planning Across All Levels of Government on a Statewide, Regional and Local Basis." Increasing density in such areas provide investors the opportunity to cash-in on the growing land value and density bonuses. It also is supposed to spur an increase transit ridership. That's exactly what such a proposal is tailored for.
If you take a look at the corridor study, it suggests two proposals. One would allow the development of six-family mixed-use buildings in areas that are currently occupied predominantly by single-family homes through a Special Permit process. The other would allow it as by-right development, without a special permit by creating an overlay zone across the corridor. The "TMU Zone", which the study identifies as Mixed-Use Transitional Zone, also proposes relief from parking-minimum requirements for such units. Much like most new Transit-Oriented Development proposals, the TUM Zone would allow people to erect buildings beyond the current standard building height and density. Relief from current parking minimums, or the creation of a regulation LIMITING the number of allowable parking is also included in the proposal. This is certainly not a regulation that would accommodate those traveling to these properties by automobile. There are several reason for such considerations but it's important to note that the primary one is the idea that affordability and accessibility to public transit will decrease such demands. I can think of at least one case in downtown Bristol where that did not pan out according to plan.
Unfortunately it looks as though some decisions may have been made prior to the commencement of the solicitation of public opinion. There is currently a Statewide Bus Study Workshop that does not conclude until January 20th and those soliciting public input for the State of Connecticut's Plan of Conservation and Development have not yet begun to do so. As a citizen whom has likely expressed more interest in both the planning and transportation processes than most local residents, I was dismayed to discover that the most recent public outreach efforts from the state regarding transportation planning was not announced to the residents-at-large until the day of the event. When this is couple this with the lack of ease of accessibility to the City of Bristol's Transportation Committee meeting times and you have one large pile of frustration about the lack of information that would encourage public participation. Such participation is not merely a matter of "best practices", it's a requirement for transportation projects that receive state and federal funds. Many residents feel that this requirement is adequately serving the residents of Bristol.
Perhaps the reason that this planning appears to be so top-down is BECAUSE IT IS! Consider the Capital Region Council of Governments' future planning documents for investments through the year 2040 as food for thought.
MAJOR POLICY DIRECTIONS
The Capitol Region Transportation Plan outlines a comprehensive program for improving our transportation system to meet travel needs through the year 2040... It defines the Region's greatest needs, identifies which problems are the Region’s highest priority, and outlines how the Region should spend its limited capital funds. The Plan is also the sum of many specific and detailed studies. The recommendations of those studies, such as the Regional Transit Strategy, the bicycle and pedestrian plan, and several corridor studies, are summarized in this Plan.... The 2015 Regional Transportation Plan continues to emphasize the desire to provide our Region’s residents with more travel options, and to reduce their need to rely exclusively on the private automobile. While the automobile will continue to dominate most travel in the Region, we need to provide more opportunities for people to use alternate means of transportation. With the earlier adoptions of the Regional Transit Strategy, the Regional Bike and Pedestrian Plan, and the opening of CTfastrak, we have taken major steps toward achieving that goal. ...
......The Plan continues to recognize that a common goal of both disciplines needs to be promoting sustainable communities in the Capitol Region. CRCOG’s transportation program supports livable community goals and the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development. This Plan also includes a commitment to coordination with State land use plans and policies
and green infrastructure treatments. Continued Emphasis on Environmental Justice. The Region reaffirms its commitment to address the transportation needs of all its residents including members of minority groups, low-income residents, and transit-dependent residents. This Plan continues to build on the many years of progress since our initial commitment. It continues to include the environmental justice policies and procedures adopted previously and identifies a list of environmental justice issues of special interest.
The Plan also supports CTfastrak and the Hartford Line transit corridors and looks to strengthen bus rapid transit...
Policies Reaffirmed
· More Travel Choices
· Sustainable Transportation
· Environmental Justice
· Transit Emphasis
· Better Bike & Walk Options
· Better Systems Operations and Management
Continued Emphasis on Pedestrian & Bicycle Travel. This Plan continues our efforts to promote non-motorized travel modes, focusing on the 5 “E’s”: Engineering, Education, Encouragement,
Enforcement, and Evaluation to achieve our vision.
...The bus system removes a significant portion of cars from the roads during the most congested periods of the day and in some of the most congested areas, and we plan for it to have an even bigger impact in the future...
...Sustainable and Livable Communities for a Sustainable Region
The Council of Governments has been an active proponent of public policies that promote sustainable and livable communities. The concept of sustainable and livable communities seeks to build communities that are vibrant and healthy, that have protected natural resources and open spaces, equitable access to opportunities and are economically competitive. A sustainable transportation system - one which provides options that easily allow citizens to choose modes other than the automobile for daily commuting and activities – is a critical component of creating sustainable, livable communities and regions. Creating this transportation system relies heavily on corresponding development priorities. Without developing dense nodes of mixed uses to support transit alternatives, the system cannot function. Promoting sustainable and livable communities is a specific goal of CRCOG’s transportation planning program, which highlights the Council’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and durability of our member communities. Whether referred to as sustainable development or livable communities, the basic goals are:
· Environment – Create a balanced transportation system that allows for choice and seeks to limit CO2 emissions in the Region and protects natural resources from sprawl.
· Economy - Sustain prosperity and expand economic growth and competitiveness through focusing new development in dense nodes connected by a multi-modal transportation network.
· Equity – Create a transportation system that provides equitable access to jobs and opportunity for all of the Region’s citizens. Be sensitive to vulnerable populations when making future transportation investments so as not to disproportionately burden regional citizens with the negative impacts of transportation infrastructure. "
http://crcog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/LRTP-April-2015.pdf
So how would you feel if you woke up one day to learn that your neighbor was building a four-story six-unit building next to your single family home? Would you be surprised like some downtown Bristol residents?
The next meeting of the Planning Commission of Bristol addressing the Route 6 Corridor Study is on Wednesday, January 25th at 7 p.m.
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