The Transforming the Stevens School Property Blog offers an opportunity to the citizens of Hallowell to make their concerns known regarding the use of the Stevens School property and its future impact on our community. Posts are set up based upon the following themes:
A. Environmental and Open Space
B. Residential Development and Housing Density
C. Traffic Density and Streets/Sidewalks
D. Municipal and Other Uses
E. Business Development
F. Historic Buildings
G. Public Costs and Revenue
The newly appointed Stevens School Committee has been encouraged to post their concerns and ideas to this blog. The committee members are Ed Cervone, Charlotte Warren, Susan Treat, Gerry Mahoney, Justin Holmes, Sarah Shed, Stephen Thompson, and Steve Velani.
Please share your ideas. The sale of this property by the State of Maine may be an added defining moment for Hallowell and how we live.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Environmental and Open Space -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPEN SPACE
1. All existing environmental issues on the site are resolved.
2. Development on the site mitigates and helps solve existing storm runoff problems.
3. Development occurs in a way that protects natural resources and contributes to the quality of life of the neighborhood and city.
8. There is open space along the back of the site for hiking and cross-country skiing. There is no road connection through to Augusta.
9. Trails through the site connect the Vaughan Field neighborhood to the school, and Winthrop Street to the open space at the back of the site.
1. All existing environmental issues on the site are resolved.
2. Development on the site mitigates and helps solve existing storm runoff problems.
3. Development occurs in a way that protects natural resources and contributes to the quality of life of the neighborhood and city.
8. There is open space along the back of the site for hiking and cross-country skiing. There is no road connection through to Augusta.
9. Trails through the site connect the Vaughan Field neighborhood to the school, and Winthrop Street to the open space at the back of the site.
Residential Development and Housing Density -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DENSITY
4. Residential development consists of a mix of housing, owner and renter, at a range of prices and rents.
5. The housing is one, two, three, and four unit with an architectural style and density compatible with homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
4. Residential development consists of a mix of housing, owner and renter, at a range of prices and rents.
5. The housing is one, two, three, and four unit with an architectural style and density compatible with homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
Traffic Density and Streets/Sidewalks -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
TRAFFIC DENSITY AND STREETS/SIDEWALKS
6. The development is a low traffic generator; i.e., residents, workers, and recreational users from the development can be comfortably accommodated on Winthrop Street.
7. The street and sidewalk network within the residential development connects naturally to Pleasant, Page, and Winthrop Streets. This allows students to walk to school, and neighbors to visit neighbors. It also encourages safe passage along and across Winthrop Street. It does so in a way, however, that discourages commuters and through traffic from cutting through the residential streets of the adjoining neighborhoods.
6. The development is a low traffic generator; i.e., residents, workers, and recreational users from the development can be comfortably accommodated on Winthrop Street.
7. The street and sidewalk network within the residential development connects naturally to Pleasant, Page, and Winthrop Streets. This allows students to walk to school, and neighbors to visit neighbors. It also encourages safe passage along and across Winthrop Street. It does so in a way, however, that discourages commuters and through traffic from cutting through the residential streets of the adjoining neighborhoods.
Municipal and Other Uses -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
MUNICIPAL AND OTHER USES
10. There may be city and school district facilities on the site, such as school administrative offices and other municipal services.
11. There may continue to be a pre-release center on the site – but it could be in different buildings than those used at present.
10. There may be city and school district facilities on the site, such as school administrative offices and other municipal services.
11. There may continue to be a pre-release center on the site – but it could be in different buildings than those used at present.
Business Development -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
12. There is a mix of uses on the site, particularly in the historic building complex. Development provides a setting for new jobs, but does not have retail activities that would take business away from Water Street, or any activities that are incompatible with residential neighbors.
12. There is a mix of uses on the site, particularly in the historic building complex. Development provides a setting for new jobs, but does not have retail activities that would take business away from Water Street, or any activities that are incompatible with residential neighbors.
Historic Buildings -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
13. The historic character of the central core of buildings is preserved. Adjacent development is done in a way that respects the historic setting.
13. The historic character of the central core of buildings is preserved. Adjacent development is done in a way that respects the historic setting.
Public Costs and Revenues -- Comprehensive Plan Goals
PUBLIC COSTS AND REVENUE
14. The development is served by public sewer and water.
15. The development generates significant property tax revenue.
14. The development is served by public sewer and water.
15. The development generates significant property tax revenue.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Detailing Issues and Ideas Generated by the 15 Stevens School Goals
Following are the 15 goals for the Stevens School property as set forth by the City of Hallowell's Comprehensive Plan. If you have any concerns or ideas regarding the 15 goals please let your ideas or issues be known.
STEVENS SCHOOL 15 GOALS (not in numerical order):
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPEN SPACE
1. All existing environmental issues on the site are resolved.
2. Development on the site mitigates and helps solve existing storm runoff problems.
3. Development occurs in a way that protects natural resources and contributes to the quality of life of the neighborhood and city.
8. There is open space along the back of the site for hiking and cross-country skiing. There is no road connection through to Augusta.
9. Trails through the site connect the Vaughan Field neighborhood to the school, and Winthrop Street to the open space at the back of the site.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DENSITY
4. Residential development consists of a mix of housing, owner and renter, at a range of prices and rents.
5. The housing is one, two, three, and four unit with an architectural style and density compatible with homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
TRAFFIC DENSITY AND STREETS/SIDEWALKS
6. The development is a low traffic generator; i.e., residents, workers, and recreational users from the development can be comfortably accommodated on Winthrop Street.
7. The street and sidewalk network within the residential development connects naturally to Pleasant, Page, and Winthrop Streets. This allows students to walk to school, and neighbors to visit neighbors. It also encourages safe passage along and across Winthrop Street. It does so in a way, however, that discourages commuters and through traffic from cutting through the residential streets of the adjoining neighborhoods.
MUNICIPAL AND OTHER USES
10. There may be city and school district facilities on the site, such as school administrative offices and other municipal services.
11. There may continue to be a pre-release center on the site – but it could be in different buildings than those used at present.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
12. There is a mix of uses on the site, particularly in the historic building complex. Development provides a setting for new jobs, but does not have retail activities that would take business away from Water Street, or any activities that are incompatible with residential neighbors.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
13. The historic character of the central core of buildings is preserved. Adjacent development is done in a way that respects the historic setting.
PUBLIC COSTS AND REVENUE
14. The development is served by public sewer and water.
15. The development generates significant property tax revenue.
STEVENS SCHOOL 15 GOALS (not in numerical order):
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPEN SPACE
1. All existing environmental issues on the site are resolved.
2. Development on the site mitigates and helps solve existing storm runoff problems.
3. Development occurs in a way that protects natural resources and contributes to the quality of life of the neighborhood and city.
8. There is open space along the back of the site for hiking and cross-country skiing. There is no road connection through to Augusta.
9. Trails through the site connect the Vaughan Field neighborhood to the school, and Winthrop Street to the open space at the back of the site.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DENSITY
4. Residential development consists of a mix of housing, owner and renter, at a range of prices and rents.
5. The housing is one, two, three, and four unit with an architectural style and density compatible with homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
TRAFFIC DENSITY AND STREETS/SIDEWALKS
6. The development is a low traffic generator; i.e., residents, workers, and recreational users from the development can be comfortably accommodated on Winthrop Street.
7. The street and sidewalk network within the residential development connects naturally to Pleasant, Page, and Winthrop Streets. This allows students to walk to school, and neighbors to visit neighbors. It also encourages safe passage along and across Winthrop Street. It does so in a way, however, that discourages commuters and through traffic from cutting through the residential streets of the adjoining neighborhoods.
MUNICIPAL AND OTHER USES
10. There may be city and school district facilities on the site, such as school administrative offices and other municipal services.
11. There may continue to be a pre-release center on the site – but it could be in different buildings than those used at present.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
12. There is a mix of uses on the site, particularly in the historic building complex. Development provides a setting for new jobs, but does not have retail activities that would take business away from Water Street, or any activities that are incompatible with residential neighbors.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
13. The historic character of the central core of buildings is preserved. Adjacent development is done in a way that respects the historic setting.
PUBLIC COSTS AND REVENUE
14. The development is served by public sewer and water.
15. The development generates significant property tax revenue.
Stevens School Committee Revitalized
Headed by Ed Cervone, new city councilor, the newly revitalized Stevens School Committee appointed by Mayor Warren, will take a new look at the issues presented by the future sale of the Stevens School Property. Cervone has recommended the following process:
I recommend the following process to define uses at the Stevens School Property (SSP):
Start with the 15 goals listed in the Comprehensive Development Plan. These goals summarize public input gathered from hearings held over the last 2 years and offer a good departure point.
Add detail to each of the goals to better define the ultimate uses on the SSP.
Compile this information into a final document to be presented to Council for approval for the purpose of serving as the City’s vision for the property moving forward.
Following is Cervone's method of framing the work to be done by the committee:
DIRECTLY FROM MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE COMP PLAN (1-8-10):
The redevelopment of the former Stevens School property will be the single most important new development in Hallowell in the coming decade. To attain these 15 goals, the Stevens School site should be put into a special district called the “Stevens School Planned Development Zone.”
Within this zone, no new development can take place until a master plan is developed for the entire site that meets the 15 goals, and is approved by the city council and planning board. The plan could be created by the city, or by a developer who owns the property. Once the plan is approved, the developer (or developers) may develop the site in accordance with the plan, and other state and local codes. The zone language should include:
1. The 15 goals of the Comprehensive Plan
2. A list of appropriate uses, based up on the goals
3. Maximum densities for residential and non-residential uses, based upon potential impacts on local traffic, infrastructure, and the environment, as well as compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods
4. Traffic standards for protecting adjoining neighborhoods, allowing trail, pedestrian, bicycle, and car connectivity through the site, and making improvements to nearby roads and intersections to ensure safety
5. Storm water standards for mitigating and managing runoff
6. Design standards to address historic and neighborhood compatibility, “green development,” and other environmental issues
7. Standards for the preservation of open space and environmentally sensitive areas on the site
8. A process for making revisions to the master plan, when deemed necessary and appropriate
I recommend the following process to define uses at the Stevens School Property (SSP):
Start with the 15 goals listed in the Comprehensive Development Plan. These goals summarize public input gathered from hearings held over the last 2 years and offer a good departure point.
Add detail to each of the goals to better define the ultimate uses on the SSP.
Compile this information into a final document to be presented to Council for approval for the purpose of serving as the City’s vision for the property moving forward.
Following is Cervone's method of framing the work to be done by the committee:
DIRECTLY FROM MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE COMP PLAN (1-8-10):
The redevelopment of the former Stevens School property will be the single most important new development in Hallowell in the coming decade. To attain these 15 goals, the Stevens School site should be put into a special district called the “Stevens School Planned Development Zone.”
Within this zone, no new development can take place until a master plan is developed for the entire site that meets the 15 goals, and is approved by the city council and planning board. The plan could be created by the city, or by a developer who owns the property. Once the plan is approved, the developer (or developers) may develop the site in accordance with the plan, and other state and local codes. The zone language should include:
1. The 15 goals of the Comprehensive Plan
2. A list of appropriate uses, based up on the goals
3. Maximum densities for residential and non-residential uses, based upon potential impacts on local traffic, infrastructure, and the environment, as well as compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods
4. Traffic standards for protecting adjoining neighborhoods, allowing trail, pedestrian, bicycle, and car connectivity through the site, and making improvements to nearby roads and intersections to ensure safety
5. Storm water standards for mitigating and managing runoff
6. Design standards to address historic and neighborhood compatibility, “green development,” and other environmental issues
7. Standards for the preservation of open space and environmentally sensitive areas on the site
8. A process for making revisions to the master plan, when deemed necessary and appropriate
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