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Home My Public Portal AboutDESIGN GUIDELINES summary notes Public Meeting 2_2014120215354977171 DESIGN GUIDELINES + STANDARDS WATERTOWN, MA Meeting 2 11/22/14 notes BUILDING MASSING - The more (we) break up the space and the more streets the better - Stop building hideous units that are too dense, high and have unrealistic massing - No single large buildings on large parcels. Smaller buildings like Alta with variety. - In the case of Watertown, today our new buildings are too big. Let's build neighborhoods instead of buildings. - Please continue to encourage pedestrian pass-throughs in large apartment complexes, like the Greystar Elan. These efforts should unify neighborhoods. BUILDING HEIGHT - 50 feet is OK if the buildings are scaled back with varying facades - Apt. buildings or other types of buildings in residential neighborhoods should not be higher than the houses in the neighborhoods - 70 feet in certain areas - I agree that height of new buildings should be consistent with the heights of surrounding buildings or lower. - Stepped down toward neighborhood so it's the same height as houses - Allow towers, taller structures, etc. - Three story (max) - If we need to go higher to achieve other goals I'm OK with that as long as it doesn't shade the neighbors or transition too abruptly to other zones BUILDING SETBACKS - Setbacks that allow for public (space) and retail interaction a plus - Should be 15-20 feet! Not ten feet. - Existing codes inadequate 2 - New buildings should not come right up to the sidewalk. There should be ample green space between buildings and sidewalk — but not parking. - Greens space in front! Setback should allow for trees to shade pedestrians. - Tiered or "wedding cake" setbacks FACADE TREATMENT - Do not use cheap materials - Should be natural materials — not cheap, fake, unnatural materials. Should complement neighborhoods and history of Watertown. Classy, not cheap looking. - Historical looking buildings with great landscaping surrounding the building - Mansard roofs not flat roofs - Owner decision - Should be consistent with other high -quality buildings — particularly historical structures (mills, etc.) in the neighborhood. Interesting architectural details should be included. - Regarding storefronts/retail space: remember that the population is aging and older people too often prefer to walk rather than drive (or can't drive) so that having varieties of businesses that are close by is extremely useful and attractive. - Materials native and commonly used — wood, brick, granite. - Contemporary materials. Please don't fall into the "brick" thought process of New England. PUBLIC REALM INTERFACE - The more the better - Streetscape interface more sidewalk interaction with pedestrians like restaurant seating, benches, trees, etc. - Avoid messing up beautiful old buildings by creating "modern" entrances that are completely inconsistent with the original design (Aetna Mills, for example). - Setbacks for public use are really important - Lots of trees; permeable space for pocket parks and, where people can sit and be outdoors and social. - More focus on public art, and interactive art for children, elders, etc. - Walk -ways from (specifically) Phillips and Parker Street not actual roads for cars - Bike and pedestrian access and preference - Well -maintained planters next to buildings when there aren't setbacks 3 - I have yet to hear how (a) discussion of how the guidelines will address density of buildings. The in -progress developments on Arsenal have many units and there is potential for many more units in Chico and Peter Z. properties. There should be limits on how big buildings can be. MATERIAL SELECTION - Sustainable, permeable - Natural materials that complement the neighborhoods. Brick/wood. - Owner decision - Use quality materials so the buildings don't look ancient and decrepit in five years - Wood, brick, granite. - Avoid whatever material is used in the climbing gym (Action/Roseland) - Encourage integrity/durability of materials PARKING AND ACCESS - Parking garages should be underground or buffered as much as possible - I am concerned with traffic flow through the building. Looks like traffic flows stopped at dead ends. Handicapped parking? Impact of development on Arsenal, No. Beacon, Irving. The exit on Otis on to Mt. Auburn to make a turn is very dangerous. - Below grade when possible. Ensure adequate parking. - Push for public transit solutions! Protected bikeways necessary. - Permeable (pavement) when above ground - Landscape surface parking well. Solar panels, canopies over parking garages. - We need to make life easier for those willing to live in a car -free society. We should use space for other things than storing private cars. - Encourage/require landscaping guidelines for surface parking lots over a certain size - Enclosed parking at ground floor along the street needs to be regulated to avoid the street or pedestrian experience being one that is not animated or engaging - Encourage/require active uses and retail when appropriate - I appreciate that David Gamble has been talking to abutters of Greystar. The Design Guidelines should incorporate across considerations for different property owners. There is no isolated property — there are issues with a domino effect. - Include requirements/guidelines about relationship to (existing) street grid. 4 SIGNAGE - Would be helped by overall Town standards - No Neon signage. Must be discreet and tasteful. - Please put retail on first floor creating a shopping, walking, under residential SUSTAINABLE DESIGN - Plan for the future building performance. Resilience is key. - Community gardens, work with the community garden committee on the design. - I agree with all of your suggestions and ask that you go farther: Put trees first, protect existing trees, pollinators. - Natural materials, eco-friendly, photo -voltaic panels, permeable paving allows for stormwater drainage. Natural landscaping and shade trees. - Green roofs, solar, permeable, peaked or mansard roofs. This is New England and we get snow! Flat roofs — why? - More concern about permeability to encourage (plantings) - We need to create incentives for sustainable building features or regulations! Solar, infiltration systems, green roofs, insulation, geothermal, etc. - Totally agree with the need for permeable surfaces to make healthy trees a reality OTHER I see Elan as an expensive, exclusive and the more broken -up the better. The #70 bus is inadequate, how can the MBTA plan for more service? Let's do more of this for all areas in Watertown! Greystar, please look at retail space and buffer parking lot. Incorporate universal design, aging in place. Hanover (project) is bulky and really too bad. Well done! Very encouraging. Thank god you are keeping pressure on Elan in the right direction. 5 All HVAC and rooftop units should be screened with natural materials and setback so you cannot see them from the street. Who ensures that developers adhere to buffer zones and setbacks? Design for large shade trees. Reduce parking spaces required. I really like the direction of Design Guidelines have taken so far. Congratulations on a great job, and thank you for this major contribution to Watertown. Places for public art — more frequent entry points to create interface with public. Consider the importance of integration of different parcels on major streets, as was presented by David at the end Where feasible, bury utility lines End of Comment Card notes Public Meeting #2.