HomeMy Public PortalAboutPresentation WP 4Providing Access For
Water-Dependent
Activities
Facilitated Discussion
Today’s Objectives
Review Plan framework:
Vision –what we want to achieve
Assessment of conditions and trends
Opportunities and limitations
Review/get feedback on:
management issues, priorities related to summertime
public access
management actions, priorities related to summertime
public access
What do you value most about
Brewster’s Coastal Resources?
CRMP Framework
Vision
Values and services we want to preserve/protect
Guiding principles to help evaluate actions
Assess/Inventory
Understanding of processes and trends
Consensus on planning scenarios
Management Issues & Actions/Implementation
Responsive to community needs/protect resources
Adaptable
Sustainable (ecologically, economically)
Efficient use of resources
Reflect regulatory, legal considerations
Vision
Goal: In the context of coastal change, preserve and protect Brewster‘s coastal resources and expand public access
1: …preserve coastal ecosystems and habitats and the character of the town and coastal neighborhoods
2: Maintain and expand public access …explore alternate modes of transport and access points
3: Adapt to climate change projections and …financially and environmentally sustainable
Public Access Basics
Coastal Access Survey
¾ of residents surveyed go to the beach 1/wk during
summer
¾ drive, smaller % walk or ride a bike
Paine’s, Crosby, Breakwater most popular beach
destinations
Summer Peak-time issue
6400 resident seasonal parking permits
4850 visitor day/week/season permits
Public Access Basics
400 +/-parking spaces at 11 locations
Mismatch between supply and demand occurs only
during summer peak
Implications for residents, visitors, businesses,
shellfishermen, neighborhods
Strategies identified in the CAS:
Increase parking spaces
Enhance pedestrian and bike access
Evaluate beach shuttle from satellite locations
Parking Strategies
Maintain or enhance onsite parking
Assess opportunities for manage relocation or retreat (e.g., Paine’s Creek, Breakwater Beach) or use of articulated mats, etc. to protect existing parking areas
Reconfigure parking areas to increase efficiency and the number of spaces
Acquire parcels near beaches and landings suitable for additional parking -balance with resource protection and neighborhood impacts.(120 spaces added at Crosby landing)
Consider revisions to the Beach Access Permit Requirements or other management measures
Build/update infrastructure to encourage use of underutilized beaches and landings (Spruce Hill, Wing Island)
Protect and enhance access for emergency personnel and those with limited mobility
Discussion Questions
Parking
Should the town seek to expand existing parking lots?
Under what conditions should the Town seek to acquire land
for additional access points (i.e., satellite parking, increased
pedestrian and bike access)?
What actions can/should the Town take to retain access-
parking lots and walkways-to public beaches?
How do you feel about limiting parking at some/all access
points to residents only?
Shuttle Strategies
Pilot project considerations:
Identify potential satellite parking locations (i.e., within .5 miles or a 5-10 minute travel time);
Select shuttle route (based on number of potential users and in consideration of a landing/beach lot’s ability to accommodate a shuttle without displacing parking spaces);
Identify operational model:
Acquisition/use of shuttle vehicle(s) through lease, purchase or re-purposing;
Number/timing of trips per day;
Duration of service (ie, peak of July 1 –August 15);
Town operated vs. operated by private vendor under contract with the Town;
Costs (lease/purchase of vehicle, insurance, driver, gas, operation and maintenance, other).
Discussion Questions
Beach Shuttle
What would make a shuttle successful to the user, to
the beach neighborhood and to the Town?
If we developed a shuttle –what town owned parking
lots are available?
Pedestrian/Bike Strategies
BCC, Bikeways Committee, DPW collaboration
Create a Lower Road Beach/Landing Bike Route;
Create safe walking routes to beaches that avoid dangerous areas;
Use informational materials, signage, pedestrian/biking beacons, and/or striping to mark bike lanes and to direct pedestrians and cyclists;
Consider improvements to road surfaces to enhance safety;
Mark sidewalks indicating bikers can share these with pedestrians;
Identify and mark safe parking areas for bikes and pedestrians.
Discussion Questions
Pedestrian/Bike Access
What measures could be taken on beach roads to
improve safe access for bikes and pedestrians?
Are there specific ways the Town could enhance
accessibility to beaches and landings for people with
disabilities?
Discussion Question
Are there other access issues that we have not
addressed?