Master Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Sustainable Village Center Planning: Town of Bolton, Massachusetts
Landscape Planning Studio II: LA 609/RP609under the instruction of
Robert L. Ryan, Associate ProfessorRick Taupier, Adjunct Professor
Evan Aird, Lianying Bao, Shemariah Blum-Evitts, Mike Cote, Tara Germond, Haidee Janak, Ryan Lundergan, Todd Lynch, David Maynes, Matt Medeiros, Laura Shaffer, Jennifer Siciliano, Gabrielle Whitcombe,
and Erin Wilson
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional PlanningUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Scope
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
To create a vision for a sustainable village center in Bolton.
Objectives:
• Assess existing resources • Establish boundaries for a village center
• Develop design and policy proposals for town
Master Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Introduction to Bolton
• Located in Worcester County in central Massachusetts
• Situated in the 495 MetroWest corridor region
(Source: MetroWest Ecocomic Research Center, 2007)
Master Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Introduction to Bolton
• Located in Worcester County in central Massachusetts
• Situated in the 495 MetroWest corridor region
(Source: MetroWest Ecocomic Research Center, 2007)
Master Vision Plan
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Introduction to Bolton
• Background- Early American architecture- Orchards, farms, forest open space- Little commercial activity - Heavy traffic- Explosive population growth
• Community goals: - Protect water resources, natural features & habitat
- Conserve open space areas for public use- Preserve and encourage agriculture- Preserve historic character- Create a diversity of housing options
Elements of a Village Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Distinctive sense of place
• Variety of housing options
• Convenience
• Community gathering
• Balances public and private space
• Preserves open space
• Creates multi-function destinations (Mixed Use)
Village Center: Two Case Studies
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Concord, MA and Dennisport, MA
•Focus on the process and strategies
•Created village center bylaws
•Active public participation
•Goals and constraints similar to Bolton
Midterm Summary
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Studied four areas specified by the Masterplan
• Narrowed areas to one most likely village center
• Created boundaries for overlay district
Midterm Summary
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Studied four areas specified by the Masterplan
• Narrowed areas to one most likely village center
• Created boundaries for overlay district
Midterm Summary
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Studied four areas specified by the Masterplan
• Narrowed areas to one most likely village center
• Created boundaries for overlay district
Midterm Summary
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Studied four areas specified by the Masterplan
• Narrowed areas to one most likely village center
• Created boundaries for overlay district
Public Participation
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Multiple types of participation:
•Visual Survey•Online Survey•Community Charrette-Mental Mapping•Initial Design Presentation• Business Interviews
Public Participation – Group Composite of Village Areas
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Town Hall
Public Participation – Group Composite of Village Areas
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Town HallSmith Property
Public Participation – Group Composite of Village Areas
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Town HallSmith Property
Senior Housing
Public Participation – Group Composite of Village Areas
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Town HallSmith Property
Senior Housing
Country Cupboard
High-Scoring Images
Public Participation – Online Survey
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Would you like to see the creation of a village district?
•81.4% Yes
If yes where should the village district be located?
•65.4 % indicated the intersection of 117 & Wattaquadock Rd.
Public Participation – Online Survey
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
How would you rate these features in a village center?
High rated:•Aesthetically pleasing buildings•Parks and open space•Walkability•Shopping/Dining Opportunities•Farmers Market•Social Gathering Spaces•Environmentally friendly infrastructure
Public Participation – Online Survey
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Newer residents and those with children were concerned with:
- Safety & Services
• Those who had lived in town longer were interested in:
- Town character, landscaping, cleanliness, signage
Public Participation – Business Interviews
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Broad support for village center • Business interests parallel to those in citizen
survey
Constraints identified by businesses:
• Zoning is not business-friendly• Parking & Traffic on 117• Water and septic infrastructure issues
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
• Walkability
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
• Walkability
• Affordable Housing
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
• Walkability
• Affordable Housing
• Local Economy
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
• Walkability
• Affordable Housing
• Local Economy
• Green Infrastructure
Sustainability Concept for Bolton’s Center
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Community Gathering
• Infill
• Walkability
• Affordable Housing
• Local Economy
• Green Infrastructure
Environmental Assets and Limitations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Extensive Wetlands
• Hills and Steep Slopes
• Protected Open Spaces
• Active Agricultural Lands
• Wildlife Habitat
Existing Zoning Setbacks
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Vision
Rt. 117
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
I-495
Wattoquadoc Rd.
Rt. 117
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Village Center Visualizations
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Key Recommendations
• Take control of Route 117• Improve infrastructure• Promote a diversity of housing types• Create local economic committee & draft
economic development plan• Revise zoning & implement design guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Zoning Tools for Consideration
40R: Smart Growth Zoning
• Create dense residential or mixed-use districts• Requires inclusion of affordable housing• Community eligible for payments based on
density increase
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
43D: Streamlined Permitting
• Town designates appropriate areas• State helps promote the sites• Town reviews permit applications in 180 days
Zoning Tools for Consideration
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Form Based Code
• Zoning paired with design guidelines• Emphasis on building exteriors, siting, streetscape
and public spaces• Focus on form over use• Streamlined permitting
Zoning Tools for Consideration
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Transfer of Development Rights
• Encourages development in village centers• Increases density in exchange for farmland
preservation
Zoning Tools for Consideration
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning
Design Guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning• Hydrology
Design Guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning• Hydrology• Building use & form
Design Guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning• Hydrology• Building use & form• Streetscape
Design Guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning• Hydrology• Building use & form• Streetscape• Parking & circulation
Design Guidelines
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Sustainable Site Planning• Hydrology• Building use & form• Streetscape• Parking & circulation• Signage & lighting
Design Guidelines
Conclusion
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
• Plan proactively – growth is coming!
Questions & Comments
Bolton Village Center Vision Plan
Thank you!