Draft Master Plan_2015-01-05

19.8 MB·English

by  Town of Arlington Massachusetts

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arlington master plan
D Y O U R T O W N , Y O U R F U T U R E
January 2015
arlington redevelopment board
master plan advisory committee
department of planning & community development
in association with:
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Gamble Associates, Inc.
Community Opportunities Group, Inc.
Ezra Glenn, AICP
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arlington master plan
YOUR TOWN, YOUR FUTURE
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January 2015
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Prepared for:
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Arlington Redevelopment Board
Master Plan Advisory Committee
Department of Planning & Community Development
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Consulting Team:
Howard/Stein-Hudson, Associates, Inc.
Gamble Associates
Community Opportunities Group, Inc.
Ezra Glenn, AICP
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contents
ARLINGTON’S TOWN GOALS ............................................................................................................................VII
A VISION FOR ARLINGTON ..................................................................................................................................IX
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................1
Public Participation .................................................................................................................................................1
Key Findings .............................................................................................................................................................2
Goals and Policies ....................................................................................................................................................4
Key Recommendations ...........................................................................................................................................5
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE ......................................................................................................................................15
Who Lives in Arlington? ......................................................................................................................................15
Households and Families .....................................................................................................................................17
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LAND USE ..................................................................................................................................................................21
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................21
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................22
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Issues and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................28
Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................36
TRAFFIC & CIRCULATION ...........................................A.........................................................................................37
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................37
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................37
Traffi c Safety ...........................................................................................................................................................43
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General Travel Patt erns and Modal Splits ..........................................................................................................44
Issues and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................46
Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................49
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HOUSING & RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT....................................................................................................51
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................51
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................51
Housing Development Trends .............................................................................................................................53
Housing Market .....................................................................................................................................................55
Housing Aff ordability ...........................................................................................................................................58
Issues and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................61
Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................63
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................................65
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................65
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................65
Commercial and Industrial Development .........................................................................................................70
Issues and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................72
Economic Development Recommendations ......................................................................................................75
HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCE AREAS ....................................................................................................79
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................79
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................79
Cultural Resources.................................................................................................................................................86
Historic and Cultural Resource Planning ..........................................................................................................87
Issues and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................91
Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................93
arlington master plan
NATURAL RESOURCES & OPEN SPACE ............................................................................................................97
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................97
Existing Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................97
Open Space ...........................................................................................................................................................103
Sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation ..............................................................................................106
Issues and Opportunities ....................................................................................................................................107
Recommendations ...............................................................................................................................................110
PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES ........................................................................................................................113
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................113
Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................................................114
Town Finances ......................................................................................................................................................130
Issues and Opportunities ....................................................................................................................................131
Recommendations ...............................................................................................................................................132
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM .........................................................................................................................135
Introduction ......................................................................................................................T....................................135
Near-Term .............................................................................................................................................................135
Mid-Term...............................................................................................................................................................142
Long-Term ........................................................................................................F.....................................................147
Ongoing .................................................................................................................................................................147
APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................................................157
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Appendix A: Road Classifi cation Defi nitions ..................................................................................................159
Appendix B. Traffi c Counts, 2000-2009 .............................................................................................................161
Appendix C: Estimated Retail Sales Leakage in Arlington (2013)................................................................163
Appendix D: Documented Historic Structures .......R........................................................................................167
Appendix E: National Register Listings ...........................................................................................................169
Appendix F: Long-Term K-12 Enrollment Trends and Projections ..............................................................171
Appendix G: Public Facilities Inventory ..........................................................................................................173
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Appendix H: Energy Conservation Measures in Town Buildings ...............................................................175
Appendix I: Visual Survey Preference Results (Summary) ...........................................................................179
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arlingtonʼs town goals
This plan was developed to be consistent with the Town ARTICLE 5. CULTURE AND RECREATION
Goals.1 The Master Plan Advisory Committ ee (MPAC) We value the many opportunities to meet, play and
considers the Master Plan and Master Plan Goals to be grow in Arlington while treasuring and preserving our
consistent with the Town Goals, which are: unique historical resources. Our social, cultural, artis-
tic, historic, athletic, recreational, and other communi-
ARTICLE 1. COMMUNITY AND CITIZEN SERVICE
ty groups strengthen Town life. We will be known for
We value Arlington’s geographic neighborhoods, com-
the breadth and richness of our resources and activities
mon interest groups, and the sense of community in
available to Arlington citizens.
our Town. We value an active and compassionate citi-
zenry delivering services in our community. We will be ARTICLE 6. COMMUNICATION
known for the vitality of our neighborhoods and as a We value public dialogue. Communication and infor-
community of people helping others. mation-sharingT build trust. Our goals are true open-
ness and accountability. Arlington will be known as a
ARTICLE 2. DIVERSITY
community that thoughtfully searches beyond divisive
We value the diversity of our population. Our Town’s
issueFs for the opportunities that bind us together.
mix of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as
well as economic and personal circumstances, enriches ARTICLE 7. FISCAL RESOURCES
us all. We will be known for the warm welcome and We value Arlington’s effi cient delivery of public ser-
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respect we extend to all. vices providing for the common good. The benefi ts
from these services and the responsibility of taxa-
ARTICLE 3. EDUCATION
tion will be equitably distributed among us. We will
We value learning for all Arlington citizenRs. We are re-
be known for our sound fi scal planning and for the
sponsible as a community for educating our youth and
thoughtful, open process by which realistic choices are
providing all ages with opportunities for educational
made in our Town.
growth. We will be known for demonstrated excellence
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in public education and our commitment to life-long ARTICLE 8. GOVERNANCE
learning. We value our representative Town Meeting system
and the community spirit it fosters. Participatory gov-
ARTICLE 4. THE ENVIRONMENT
ernance is both responsive and interactive. We will be
We value the physical beauty and natural habitats of
known as a community where government provides
our Town – parks, ponds, and wetlands, dramatic vistas
eff ective and effi cient services, insures open two-way
and tree-lined streets – as they contribute to the well-
communication, promotes the lively exchange of ideas,
being of our community. Recognizing the fragility of
and encourages active citizen participation.
our natural resources, we must ensure that Arlington’s
residential areas, commercial centers, and infrastruc- ARTICLE 9. BUSINESS
ture are developed in harmony with environmental We value Arlington’s diverse and accessible mix of
concerns. We will be known for our commitment to the merchants and service providers. We will be known for
preservation of Arlington’s beauty, limited open space our vibrant, att ractive commercial centers supporting
and resources, as well as our place in the regional and the primarily residential and historic character of the
global community. Town.
1  ARTICLE 15: Consideration of Vision 2020 Goals, Article 20 ATM
5/5/93. All Town offi cials including, but not limited to the Board of
Selectmen, Town Manager, School Committee, and Superintendent
of Schools shall consider the Goals of Vision 2020 as delineated in
Article 19 of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting, or as same is subse-
quently amended by any future town meeting, in establishing their
respective policies and in performing their various public functions.
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a vision for arlington
Arlington’s Master Plan envisions civic connections that encourage social
interaction and foster a sense of community. The plan considers a range of
critical topics by focusing on how they contribute to these connections :
 Open spaces and corridors that link neighborhoods
 Thriving business districts
 Living and working opportunities for all
 Stewardship and promotion of our historic heritage
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 Cultural and recreational resources that provide shared experiences
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 Natural systems in ecological balance
 A walkable public realm where residents meet their neighbors
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 A shared interest in community-wide fi scal health
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