Town Center Concept - Mixed Use Zoning
I think that the town should begin to look at establishing mixed use zoning for main street . This would allow the introduction of light retail shops and stores in the lower level of the homes along main street. The citizens benefits from having local access to goods and services. The homeowners benefit from being able to work in town. The town benefits from enhamcement and preservation of our small town culture.
On Aug. 6th the selectmen disbanded the mixed use committee. Whether the concept of mixed use zoning proceeds in Brookline is unclear at this time.
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Lynne Abt commented
I would like to state again my STRONG opposition to this concept. Please listen to those who live here on Route 130. Please further explain how "The town benefits from enhancement and preservation of our small town culture." How is this preserving it?
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Judy Cook commented
If you carefully read the mixed use citizens guide, you will find that it was written with Commonwealth of Massachusetts funding in mind, and highlights mixed use zoning as “…a vehicle for revitalizing struggling areas and spurring economic development“.
The idea of Mixed Use Zoning as an overlay to the Residential/Agricultural zone in the context of the whole town of Brookline, NH deserves serious discussion . Personally , I am not in favor of this idea for the town center , but feel that it deserves an “airing out” in a public forum so that the entire town can see what such an overlay would mean if applied to all of the residential/agriculture zone including all of the towns neighborhoods.
What needs to be understood is that the majority of the lots on Main Street and in the center of town are undersized lots (grandfathered as buildable lots) but of a size that is not up to the current town standards. The septic and well's on these lots can support the existing use but would not support an expanded mixed use.
• Brookline's current infrastructure lacks town water and sewer, retrofitting the center of Brookline with town water and sewer would be a monumental challenge both in cost and implementation.
• Parking is also an issue. We should have learned through the parking issues at the library that there is neither adequate space for parking for expanded retail in the center of town nor is there the ability to create any parking in a practical way. Years ago the Post Office had to move from its former location at 22 Main Street to the intersection of Rt 13 and Milford Street due to parking and size limitations even at that time when the population was ½ of what it is now.
• Many residents who live in the center of town already complain about the amount of traffic that is routed down Main Street and Milford Street - can you imagine how much more traffic would be generated if those people living in other areas of Brookline or coming from other towns were drawn in to the center of town for shopping.
Brookline's Main Street area is already mixed use in fact if not by established zoning. We have The Brookline Village Store at 12 Main Street, apartment building’s at 14 & 17 Main Street, light retail at 22 Main Street, not to mention a church, a library, and the town government buildings.
Brookline is going to eventually have to come to terms with the fact that our forefathers didn't create a town center . It is impossible to retrofit a town center into a 250+ year old town without destroying it. If you try to create a retail downtown out of our older historical buildings you will be in danger of destroying the small amount of New England rural town feel that we presently have.
Homeowners can presently (and many do) work from home taking advantage of the town zoning that allows "home business". If you read the zoning to see what is allowed in a residential zone you will find that the concept of mixed use zoning has been accomplished without the complication of a mixed use zoning overlay.
Last year at the “Town Visioning Event” keeping Brookline feeling like “a rural New England town “ was high on the list of what was important. The center of town is what it is. It is the “rural New England town” that we have, and to try to make it more than that would endanger it. -
Denise Morrissette commented
Lynne, traffic is heavy on Main St. for a few reasons. Because of lack of connecting roads elsewhere in town, Rt. 130 becomes a collector road. No services in town means almost all traffic is through traffic, to Nashua, to Milford, on Rt 13 and 130.
Business zones and large lot requirements mean lots of car traffic. -
Lynne Abt commented
I am against this idea. Our Main Street is a residential area for the most part. I think this idea would cause too many traffic problems for the people that live here. I live on Milford street and I think this problem would extend to there. I like the streets the way they are. We have business zoned areas already. We also have in-home business zoning already. These areas could draw in more retail and do not seem to be doing so. Yes it would not be in a home and thus some benefits are gone. If people like this idea so much, please think about a "downtown" on your street and how would you feel about that?
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Betty Hall commented
Darrell, I'm wondering if parking could be a problem. I like the idea of stores which are compatible with the rural and historic character of the town. That's why I like the Brookline Village Store. I remember the columns that used to be on the front. It looked so imposing to me as a little girl that I was scared to go in but the candy jars always overcame my fears!!
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Paul Doran commented
I've often thought that Brookline's main street could be more attractive to businesses. Zoning could be the first step but some thought will have to be put into on street parking and sidewalks. Some infrastructure improvements will need to be addressed in the future.