Update #4: Points to Consider // Town Open Space Meeting @7:30p

Prior to the Town Open Space committee meeting tonight, we're sharing notes on points of concern, what should be considered, the impact on achieving the Town Master Plan goals, and the benefit for the Town to acquire the land.  (Please forgive typos, the PROPOSED SITE LOCATION CONCERNS were shared via an experienced Planning Developer and their assessment of the area & Old Elm Street):

Concerns over large campus development and how it conflicts with the Town Master Plan:

PROPOSED SITE LOCATION CONCERNS:

Traffic Concern Points:

• Old Elm is a scenic, historic street
• Speed limit and street limitations.  The street is not made to accommodate a large volume, there is limited sight distance.
• Intersections along and at the end of Old Elm will be overburdened – becoming more dangerous.   ‘Level of Service ‘ decreased.
• Driveway access (likely) requires turn lanes and signalization for event management, along with AADT (annual average daily traffic) and peak hourly counts
• No ROW available for road modifications
• Road modifications compromise country stone wall and other accoutrements of desirable scenic road
• Old Elm used significantly for running, biking and pedestrians

 Wetland Encroachment

• Significant wetland on site. Best property use is preservation and conservation
• Stream requires protection
• Habitat would be compromised, direct impact on area wildlife
• Clean Water Act: created to protect wetlands
• Town Master Plan cites wetland losses and goals to preserve acreage

Stormwater Management

• Parking lots overburden site water management and quality.  Campus proposal includes significant parking in building plans.

Noise

• High risk of incompatible with residential area

Viewshed (the natural environment that is visible from one or more viewing points) - 

• incompatible with scenic desires for country component of town and Town’s published desires

TOWN BENEFITS OF BUYING THE LAND:

• Contribute to connectivity of town land
• Contribute to Town goal of conservation and park land
• Maintain character of Old Elm and Town classification of scenic historic road
• Enhance opportunity for Town land connectivity
• Green contribution/  wetland protection
• Works toward the Vision Pillar goal of Bringing People Together- This pillar focuses on preserving what makes Mansfield Mansfield—the people, the community, and its history.
• Directly works toward the towns #3 Top Listed Goal: Create opportunities such as community spaces, events, programs and other initiatives that foster residents of all ages, socioeconomic, and interest groups to interact and collaborate with one another
• Mitigates and/or prevents Towns Top Listed Concerns of the Future.

We encourage all residents to review the Town Master Plan & Vision, available to view---> here