Summary of RecommendationsDowntown Plan for Infill DevelopmentEaston Town CouncilJuly 7, 2008

Objective AssessmentInfill Development StrategiesInclude Community Input

Key Elements of Plan

Detailed market assessmentHistoric resources surveyTypical downtown elementsInfill development concepts

GOALS

ANALYSES

Define Downtown’s EdgesCreate a Green Ring Around DowntownReconnect Northern and Southern Parts of DowntownFocus on Existing StreetsStrengthen the Retail CoreCreate Contextual and Compatible DevelopmentEncourage Downtown Residential DevelopmentCreate a Unified Parking StrategyCoordinate Open Space Linkages

Overall Plan Recommendations

Tiers of Recommendations

Guide and be responsive to private investmentShort and long term public investment

Strategies for the existing retail baseStrategies/concepts for infill development

Traffic and parking considerationsPublic infrastructure investment

Downtown Easton could, or should, look to:

Capture about $25 million in new retail salesAbout 100,000 sf of new or re-occupied space

Grow its office inventory by about 100,000 sfProvide for 100 +/- new downtown residential units

New Development Potential

Branding and Merchandising

Downtown Retailing is Hard WorkChange and evolutionFinding niches/Finding customersIndependents at a disadvantage

Merchandising ApproachIdeas and recommendations are immediateStudy suggests ways to broaden product mix and appeal

• Know today’s customer• Look to the future

Don’t change your “Brand”Establish dynamic retail inventoryEstablish working group to track trends, risks, opportunities

Business, property owners, civic leadersConduct annual merchandising workshop

Retail EnvironmentConsumer Profile and PatternsStore EnvironmentProduct

Merchandising Recommendations

Green Streets

Green Infrastructure

On Street Parking OptimizationMaximize spacesMid-block “Very Short Term” SpacesReserve for Downtown Valet service

Off Street ParkingSeek centralized north and south parking structuresContinue to separate parking requirements off-siteConsider public/private options in creating parking structures

Create Crosswalk and Signal Enhancements

Traffic and Parking Strategies

Not a one size fits all strategyGuide for context but allow diversity of investmentLooked at key infill sites and infill opportunities

Infill Design Concepts

Infill Design Concepts

Continue to use Historic District GuidelinesAdditional General Considerations

Building tops articulatedMiddle level facades vertically orientedVertically oriented windowsDiscourage ribbon windowsEmphasize design on base levelDiscourage long linear and monolithic facadesParking Structures with public frontages should be contextual

General Design Guidelines

1. North Harrison Street Infill2. Downtown Gateway Infill3. Brewers Lane Infill4. Mid-Harrison Street Infill5. South Harrison Street Infill6. South Downtown Gateway

Infill Design Guidelines

North Harrison Street

HeightsFour floors, 48 feet

Ground Level UseRetail/Institutional

Upper Level UsesResidential/Office/Inst

Primary Frontage0 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material

Brewers Lane

HeightsTwo floors w/ dormer, 27 feet

Ground Level UseResidential

Upper Level UsesResidential

Primary Frontage0 foot setback/15 feet at Harrison75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeWood or Siding Primary Material

Downtown Gateway

HeightsThree w/ dormer, 38 feet

Ground Level UseRetail

Upper Level UsesResidential/Office

Primary Frontage0 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material

Mid-Harrison Street Infill

HeightsFour floors, 48 feet

Ground Level UseRetail

Upper Level UsesResidential

Primary Frontage0 foot setback25 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material

South Harrison Street Infill

HeightsThree floors, 38 feet

Ground Level UseRetail

Upper Level UsesResidential

Primary Frontage3 foot setback25 feet Max Continuous FaçadeWood or Siding Primary Material

South Downtown Gateway Infill

HeightsFour floors, 48 feet

Ground Level UseRetail, Office, Inst.

Upper Level UsesResidential, Office, Inst.

Primary Frontage3 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material

Time FramesImmediate = within first yearShort Term = one to two yearsMid-Term = next five yearsLong-Term = beyond five years

Cost Factors$ = $0 to $25,000$$ = $25,000 to $50,000$$$ = $50,000 to $75,000$$$$ = $100,000 or greater

Implementation – Table Key

$$$$Long TermOff Street Parking Structures

$$$Short-termCodify/Form Base Guidelines

$ImmediateRefine and Use Guidelines

$$Short-termOn Street Parking Optimization

$$$Mid-termCrosswalk Improvements

$$Short-termCrosswalk Study

$$$$Long-termGreen Ring Investment

$$$Mid-termGreen Ring Study

$Short-termMerchandising Work Shop

$ImmediateMerchandising Inventory

Cost FactorTime FrameRecommendation

$$$$Long TermOff Street Parking Structures

$$$Short-termCodify/Form Base Guidelines

$ImmediateRefine and Use Guidelines

$$Short-termOn Street Parking Optimization

$$$Mid-termCrosswalk Improvements

$$Short-termCrosswalk Study

$$$$Long-termGreen Ring Investment

$$$Mid-termGreen Ring Study

$Short-termMerchandising Work Shop

$ImmediateMerchandising Inventory

Cost FactorTime FrameRecommendation

Implementation

New retail and commercial development are supportable in downtown EastonThere is enough potential to strengthen existing retailEaston can support a diverse range and density of downtown housing

Be prepared! There is strong interest in downtown sites.

Summary