HomeMy Public PortalAboutTisbury Vision Plan Vibrant- T Center ' _
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TisburyVision Plan
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The Planning Board would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions
Advisory Committee
Noreen Baker, Harold Chapdelaine, John Custer, Nancy Gardella, Mary Ellen Larsen, Bruce Lewellyn,
Caroline Little, Melinda Loberg, Nili Morgan, Amy Ryan, Jonathan Snyder
Workshop Facilitators
Bob Aldrin, Harold Chapdelaine, Cheryl Doble, Melinda Loberg, Deborah Medders, Judy Miller, Lilian Robinson,
Ben Robinson, Dan Seidman, Jonathan Snyder, Stephen Zablotny
Recorders
John Custer, Frank Doble, Nancy Gardella, Mariane Goldsmith, Mary Jo Goodrich, Lolly Hand, Mary Ellen Larsen,
Caroline Little, Judy Miller, Akeyah Nunes, Doug Reese, Felicity Russell, Myra Stark, Pamela Street, Bow Van Riper
Writing, Data Collection, and Analysis
Lilian Robinson, Myra Stark, Holly Stephenson
Office Production Pat Harris
Publication Photography Cheryl Doble
Presentation and Publication Design Stephen Zablotny
Workshop Participants
Wendy Andrews, Ivy Ashe, John Bacheller, Wiet Bacheller, Clarence Barnes, Harriet Barrow, Dawn Bellante, Allen Birol, Pamela Brock, Polly Brown,
MJ Bruder Munafo, Bill Bruno, Catherine Bumpus, Deborah Buress, Jacque Cage, Claudia Canerdy, Rosemary Carey, Patricia Carlet, Barbara Caseau,
Sheri Caseau, Philip Clatworthy, Katherine Colon , Chris Connors, Paul Cotton, Patricia Crosson, Antoinette Cutrer, Angela Cywinski ,
Jeri Dantzig, Paul Darby, Jorja Darby, Ljuba Davis, Simone DeSorcy, Merrie Beth Dodge, Corinne Dorsey, Dorothy Sayre Drozdyk, Sam Dunn,
Elaine Eugster, Nancy Ferguson, David Ferraguzzi, Mo Flam, Pam Flam, Phil Fleischman, Lynne Fraker, Angie Francis, Chris Fried, Jani Gardner,
Josh Goldstein, Larry Gomez, Jani Goodman, Timothy Goodman, John Guadagno, Peter Guest, Lucy Hackney, Jean Hay, Dana Hodsdon,
Ann Hollister, Tristan Israel, Kenneth Ivory, Eric Johnson, Philippe Jordi, Karen Kenney, Emma Kiley, Doreen Kinsman, Marie Laursen, Paul Lazes,
Hyung Lee, Richard Leonard, Avi Lev, April Levandowski, Jean Lewellyn, Rufus Little, James Lobdell, Michael Loberg, Mark London, Michelle Manfredi,
Peter Marciniak, Kay Mayhew, Colleen McAndrews, Roland Miller, James Moffatt, Theresa Morrison, Carl Mueller, Judy Mueller, Bruce Nevin,
Nora Nevin, Tony Nevin , James Norton, Sonya Norton, Nathaniel Orleans, Dorothy Packer, Ralph Packer, June Parker, L. Anthony Peak,
Erik Peckar, Jim Pepper, Judy Perlman, Jennifer Rapuano, Christine Redfield, Rosemary Ribarik, Cynthia Richard, Robert Richheimer, Aaron Robinson,
Elias Robinson, Mary Alice Robinson, Susan Rogers, India Rose, Carol Salguero, Judy Salosky, Nevin Sayre, Solvig Sayre, Stina Sayre, Katherine Scott,
Michael Shepard, Sarah Shepard, Peter Simon , Leigh Smith , Caron Soond, Henry Stephenson, Holly Stephenson, Jennifer Stix, Michael Strada,
Jack Street, Rose Styron, Thomas Sullivan, Martin Boris Takam, Jeff Thompson, Ellie Tuck, Nancy Tutko, Scott Tuttle, Bow Van Riper, Bill Veno,
Mary J. Wagner, Tomar Waldman, Susan Waldrop, Jamie Weisman, Lorraine Wells, Craig Whitaker, Jill White, Sandy Whitworth, Jane Wilson,
Dorothy Winnette, Denys Wortman, Marilyn Wortman
TisburyVision Plan
Introduction
The Tisbury vision planning initiative, sponsored by the town planning
board , facilitated community participation in a town visioning process
during the fall of 2014 and winter of 2015 .
Through a series of surveys and workshops, town residents (and a few
people from other Island towns) identified core community values, voiced
concerns, described the future that they would like to realize, articulated
goals essential to the attainment of the vision, identified actions that can
be taken to accomplish the goals, and considered opportunities to
strengthen the town .
The following vision plan presents the culmination of this community
endeavor. It sets forth a framework to guide town decisions and creates a
working agenda for elected officials, town committees, and community groups.
Tisbury Vision Plan
The Vision of Tisbury
The village of Vineyard Haven is the heart of Tisbury and, as Martha's Vineyard 's
year- round port, will continue to serve as a welcoming "gateway" to the Island .
The residents of Tisbury, a strong year-round community, will work together to get
things done through good planning and organizational collaboration . Private and
public partnerships will establish a network of open spaces connecting recreation
areas and residential neighborhoods with a vibrant town center, a diversified
waterfront, and a working harbor.
Through public investment and private development, the town will achieve a strong
year- round economy that provides employment opportunities and services for
residents and visitors. The Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District will celebrate
Tisbury's unique history and support Island artists and artisans while contributing
to the town 's economic base.
With the guidance of thoughtful leaders, working with an active citizenry that is
diverse in its interests and aims, Tisbury will work to protect its environmental
resources, build a sustainable future, and remain "Tisbury."
TisburyVision Plan
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Taking Action
The actions identified under each of the listed goals provide a framework to guide the
implementation of the town vision . Some are short-term actions that utilize existing
local skills and resources while others are longer-term actions that might require fund-
raising and outside expertise.
Some actions fall under the purview of elected officials but many can be undertaken by
community businesses, organizations, and residents. Achievement of the vision will depend
on the participation and support of the entire community.
The planning board proposes creating a CommunityVision Council , which will facilitate
and coordinate implementation of individual projects.
This council will provide planning, design , and organizational support for various groups
that would like to initiate a project.This will be accomplished by matching the expertise of
community volunteers, consultants , and professionals to the needs of specific projects .
The council will also be a means through which educational sessions (on planning topics
related to the vision plan ) can be convened , and through which workshops can be
conducted to gather community input on specific projects and issues.
Finally, the council will produce recommendations on a project- by- project basis as
well as a newsletter to update the community on accomplishments and ongoing projects.
TisburyVision
• .
Sustain a strong, . .
developingBy d partnerships between municipal,
towardsthe town works . . . . character.
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PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Organize the structure of town Maintain a forward-looking Encourage participation
government to provide effective planning process to manage in the implementation of the
and responsive governance. change, address affordability, vision plan.
and guide appropriate
Vineyard HavenACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS
Reestablish Department of Create a town master plan to Encourage and support
Public Works oversight encompass comprehensive collaboration among
rby the Board of Selectmen planning businesses
Improve town government's Strengthen town collaboram
A
Organize neighborhood
technology functions (i.e. web. tions with regional housing groups to work with the
site, communication, etc.)
Initiate a process to guide jr organizations to increase town to identify and initiateaffordable
effective planning for capital Begin community-based planll, Develop educationalI fl Developenditures ning forums and support the opportunities, formal and
.
ter. n
r ., yEncourage
Tisbury Vision Plan
Goal
Act as responsible stewards for our natural environment.
The town 's population recognizes and values its immediate environment and acts as stewards
for future generations.
PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Support the ongoing Monitor and mitigate the impact Understand potential impacts Support local activities that
preservation of open space of land use activity on the health of environmental change on contribute to long-term
and views. of our environment and the town resources and land uses. sustainability.
water quality of town estuaries.
ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS
• Meet with the Martha's Develop nitrogen reduction • Study long-term sea level • Increase energy efficiency
Vineyard Land Bank strategies rise and develop plans to in town facilities
and other conservation Develop clear protocols address predicted changes • Support local, sustainable food
groups to identify potential regarding any harmful chemical • Study potential changes and craft production that
preservation approaches use in town from temperature and makes use of local resources
• Work with neighborhoods Participate in educational seasonal shifts • Support local school lunch
to identify potential land sessions regarding fertilizer programs
preservation opportunities usage as well as chemical and • Create a market venue for
pharmaceutical disposal small-scale distribution of
locally produced products
(i.e. farmers' markets, and
craft booths)
TisburyVislon
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proposed,Sustain a beautiful and lasting built environment.
Buildings are preserved and well maintained. As new buildings are
impactof how they may . .
ACTIONSPURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Restore the condition of Take steps to better maintain Identify and address
dilapidated buildings and poorly town facilities. long-term buildmout issues
maintained sites. and infrastructure needs.
. ACTIONS
Develop approaches to�a
Develop
rehabilitate dilapidated better long-term municipal laws to find ways to better
buildings
poorly facility planning manage future development
densitymaintained properties Improve municipal building in a manner that supports the
Review and address maintenance town vision
shortcomings in Develop strategies for a Review zoning laws to support
current bylaws new Town Hall which
better integrates the developmental
x Develop process,
Initiate conversations municipal
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TisburyVision Plan
Goal
Create a welcoming gateway and town center with a strong pedestrian path network
that facilitates walking and mitigates the impact of traffic congestion .
A clean, welcoming port facilitates Island arrival and provides strong pedestrian connections
to Main Street and its small-scale, year-round shops, walkways, and public spaces.
PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Develop and enhance public Promote opportunities Protect the scale and character Create a comprehensive traffic
pedestrian spaces which associated with the Vineyard of the village of Vineyard Haven. and parking strategy to reduce
promote walking. Haven Harbor Cultural District congestion.
and the Martha's Vineyard
Museum .
ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS
• Improve maintenance and Develop streetscape Review Bl zoning and add * Study alternative parking
cleanliness of public areas installations, tours, and oversight for review of approaches
• Develop seating and pocket public events that highlight projects that will affect the • Review bylaws in the Bl
parks throughout the the cultural district district district regarding parking
downtown Develop expanded visitor requirements in congested
• Partner with private land services to promote the downtown areas
owners to make better use cultural district and • Work with the Steamship
of the space around businesses in-town activities Authority to improve
• Utilize the public space circulation during ferry arrivals
by supporting small scale
entrepreneurial vendor and departures
• Study shuttle services in and
opportunities
• out of town
Develop better paths between
the SSA terminal and Main •
too with Mass DOT
develop a plan for the
Street and other parts of town State Road and Beach Road
• Further develop pedestrian corridor
paths connecting neighbor-
hoods to Main Street
TisuryVision Plan
Goal
Create an even more accessible waterfront.
An accessible public treasure, Tisbury's working waterfront is an educational and recreational resource
that celebrates the working nature of the town 's past, present, and future.
{, PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Expand public access and Explore ways to expand fishing Improve and maintain town
r .r recreational use on and shellfishing as part of the property that currently provides
s the harbor waterfront. working waterfront. public waterfront access.
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ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS
Look for potential properties • Create a permanent • Improve access and
that could become public commercial fishing pier maintenance on town-
___ -_ parks • Create a wholesale shellfish owned waterfront
• Develop bylaws that both and fish market property
support appropriate develop- • Support shellfish farming • Develop sites to
- ment and allow for public businesses enhance and
_ = access Provide a place for charter expand public use
• Partner with landowners to fishing businesses to operate
create opportunities for more
-- - " ,� I' : . • public access to fully realize
the harbor walk, and develop
solutions agreeable to private
{ landowners
• Support Sail MV events
- _ • Celebrate the harbor's
maritime history through
- - events with the Martha's
Vineyard Museum
TisburyVision Plan
Goal
Create a public realm that connects and integrates great neighborhoods , parks, and
open spaces through a network of safe walking and biking routes .
All town neighborhoods are connected through a clean and easy-to-use network of paths, parks, and open space.
This functional network provides an alternative means of movement and transportation that also integrates the
town 's neighborhoods and center into the entire Island system.
PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE
Raise awareness of parks, Better maintain, improve, and Conduct a comprehensive Develop and promote a
beaches, and open space. expand existing town parks. review of sidewalks and develop safe network of bike paths.
an improvement plan.
ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS ACTIONS
• Develop maps to promote • Add facilities that will expand, • Conduct an inventory of • Complete planned
awareness of parks and diversify, and improve the use current sidewalk conditions bike access from
activities around town of existing parks • Develop design guidelines for Beach Road to
• Improve signage at town parks • Create a process by which future sidewalk extensions Lagoon Pond Road
and publicly held open spaces neighborhood groups work and repair • Create safe bike routes that
with the town to improve and connect the SSA to the
care for community parks and Islandwide bike path network
open spaces Work to connect bike and
• Look to create additional walking paths, and to provide
parks, recreation areas, and bike racks where they meet
open space • Create maps and signage to
inform users
TisburyVislon
• • — d
Getting
implementation,As the town moves from planning to
. . o build . -
continuecontributions of community volunteers and to the constructive dialogue
that grew through the workshop
. . • -
. .
interestedGroups and individuals project
within the vision framework, and individuals wishing to contribute special skills,
are encouraged to contact the planning board .
You can reach the planning . . . 508�696�4270 ext. 1122
or by - visionplan@tisburyma.gov.
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