Sustain Southern Maine Wells Pilot Center Public Workshop May 14, 2013

Agenda Welcome The Sustain Southern Maine Pilot Center Project and your role today Background on Wells Study Area Sustain Southern Maine Workshop results Hands-on feedback! Next Steps

What is Sustain Southern Maine?

An Opportunity to Create Economically Strong Centers Regional Planning Project in Southern Maine Planning grant funded by HUD, USDOT, EPA Led by Greater Portland Council of Governments Goal of this Project: Centers of Opportunity “Borrow” portion of communities to learn how to attract jobs, housing and meet transportation needs Help other interested communities do same

How this could help the Region Creates ideas and tools to support short and long-term growth and development in large and small communities Increases opportunity for regional economic growth

Southern Maine’s transportation and housing needs are changing Baby boomers downsizing and retiring Younger generation needs affordable first homes; wants fewer autos Maine short on smaller lower-cost, lower-maintenance homes in walkable communities This is a market gap waiting to be filled Ultimately may allow more educated young Mainers to return home

Sustain Southern Maine Centers of Opportunity A center of opportunity will be: Responsive to property owners’ goals Highly competitive for the next generation of job and housing growth in Southern Maine Responsive to the market’s desire for safe, livable, and walkable neighborhoods A testing ground where lessons learned in generating economically sustainable and livable centers can be used throughout the region

Sustain Southern Maine Centers of Opportunity If in the next decades, 30-40 such centers can attract and absorb growth and generate economic revenue, the pattern of growth in Southern Maine will be more: Sustainable in terms of conserving energy resources Economically productive able to preserve rural character

Criteria for Pilot Centers of Opportunity Support of Property Owners Community/municipal support Public sewer/water OR good soil quality Multi-Modal Transportation opportunity Able to accommodate significant growth Includes core of existing business, public services, recreational, cultural areas or agriculture

Communities Interested in Hosting a Center of Opportunity Brunswick Freeport Standish Gray New Gloucester Portland South Portland Cape Elizabeth Scarborough Gorham Westbrook Kennebunk Sanford Wells Kittery

Communities Chosen to Host a Center of Opportunity Brunswick Freeport Standish Gray New Gloucester Portland South Portland Cape Elizabeth Scarborough Gorham Westbrook Kennebunk Sanford Wells Kittery

Your Role Today Tell us what you think of the ideas you’ll hear about and see in the stations Provide specific feedback on: What you like What you don’t What will work and why What won’t work and why

Background on Wells Depot Brook Report Protect/Enhance Brook Create Sense of Place More walking/biking Trolley only lane Address congestion Address safety Connect Trails Create Linkages Protect Natural Heritage More Small / Local business Year round employment Tourism important More Housing Types Young family housing More social opportunities Park once options

Background on Wells Four areas of interest identified by Town Officials for Sustain Southern Maine: Interchange/Transportation Center Area Route 109/Chapel Intersection Area Municipal Campus Area College Drive/Mile Road Area

About Wells Lots of Assets The Challenges Great civic amenities Lots of good, developable land The beach The railroad station The Challenges No town center Too many choices!!

Wells’ Potential Growth Town-wide growth projections for Wells: next 30 years 2,328 additional housing units Nearly 1,200 jobs. Vacant Land in Village Triangle area 695 +/- acres Not all are available or suitable for development Our question: What part of this projected growth could fit there?

Where to Put the Growth? What If? 50% homes and 75% jobs were captured in the “Village Triangle” area 1164 homes 900 jobs An average of 54 units and 38 jobs per year over 30 years. OR 25% homes and 50% jobs were captured in the “Village Triangle” area 560 homes 600 jobs An average of 19 units and 20 jobs annually over 30 years .   Note: Remainder of growth occurs elsewhere in Wells as per land use regulations

BENEFIT: Create a Sense of Neighborhood If we guide growth to 100 of the 695 vacant acres in Wells Village Triangle What if 25% of projected units (560) were built A density of 5 or 6 homes per acre with public or community sewer Viable for some regular transit service And if 50% of projected (or 600) jobs were created in this area Up to 300,000 square feet of new commercial space Assumes 500 square feet per employee

Questions Discussed During March Workshop Where could we put these jobs and homes? What types of activities should do people want here? What physical improvements are needed to support both? What community image do you want development style to convey? What recreation and open space amenities would add value for community?

FEEDBACK SESSION Tell us what you think of the ideas generated at that session…the more feedback, the better!

Comments/Questions?

Next Steps For Wells: For the Region: -Used to continue a Community Dialogue on its feasibility and support -Used to further discussions on Exit 19 on regulatory & infrastructure changes needed to see desired type of growth -Made a part of foundation materials to be used to update the Comprehensive Plan in 2014-15 -Used in discussions for the location of new Public Safety & Municipal Facilities East of the Turnpike. For the Region: Fall Regional Meetings with all nine communities to showcase work in each one Leave us your email address www.sustainsouthernmaine.com