A municipal planning department unveiled a new mixed-use strategy Monday that places businesses in one district, residences in another and the concept of walking between them in a glossy presentation.
Under the compromise, housing will be encouraged near downtown, provided “near” is interpreted in a manner compatible with driving.
“True mixed use requires balance,” said planning consultant Hugh Zoning. “If people live directly above shops, the uses become dangerously mixed. We prefer a carefully separated mixture.”
Vibrancy to observe posted hours
Supporters said removing residential uses would protect businesses from complaints about deliveries, music and customers behaving like customers. It would also ensure that downtown’s charm gets to rest every evening.
Critics asked who would patronize restaurants after office hours. The question was referred to the Economic Vitality Subcommittee, which meets at 10 a.m. on weekdays in a building with 47 parking spaces.
The plan also establishes a walkability goal. Sidewalks will be installed wherever they do not interfere with parking, vehicle stacking, driveway access, utilities or the preservation of existing sidewalk studies.
Apartments above existing shops will remain visible during the review as historical examples of a practice not yet fully understood.
All the right uses.
Carefully prevented from meeting one another.