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Home My Public Portal AboutSurvey Summary Analysis1 BREWSTER VISION SURVEY: SUMMARY OF RESULTS Demographics Item Survey Workshop 1 Workshop 2 Resident Full time 57% 93% 91% Part time 40% 5% 9% Age group 26-40 9% 5% 7% 41-60 31% 19% 29% 61-80 56% 67% 55% Years in Brewster 1-10 36% 33% 36% 11-20 24% 33% 39% 21-30 38% (20+ years) 18% 18% 31-40 5% 8% Survey Results Average Score by Building Block Building Block Average Score Community Character 3.53 Open Space 4.01 Housing 3.51 Local Economy 3.61 Coastal Management 3.97 Water Resources 4.23 Governance 3.65 Community Infrastructure 3.69 2 20 HIGHEST SCORED ACTIONS Building block Q # Action Average score Standard Deviation Don't know Open space 20 Identify and protect priority parcels in sensitive natural resource areas, particularly in designated drinking water supply areas 4.53 0.76 0.26% Water resources 53 Pursue improvements to residential and industrial zoning/regulations in critical areas that will strengthen groundwater protections. 4.37 0.8 1.37% Water resources 51 Identify, purchase more open space and find other actions to preserve areas critical to town wellfields 4.33 0.91 1.94% Water resources 59 Identify and preserve land within marine watersheds and protect/restore beneficial coastal resource areas such as salt marshes 4.31 0.85 1.93% Open space 22 Manage and protect existing open space assets 4.27 0.82 1.03% Water resources 54 Improve coordination between town committees on water quality protection issues and actions. 4.25 0.84 3.40% Water resources 56 Implement existing town storm water management requirements and up-date the storm water management program to mandated standards to eliminate road runoff to ponds. 4.25 0.83 2.76% Water resources 58 Expand requirements for advanced wastewater treatment systems for commercial and residential development in sensitive marine watersheds 4.22 0.89 4.98% Water resources 52 Develop and/or expand public education and outreach regarding threats to drinking water supplies 4.21 0.9 0.37% 3 Community character 12 Review, strengthen and enforce zoning for 6A to ensure historic preservation and standards; define “appropriate development” with input by all. 4.19 1 0.66% Coastal management 43 Develop a town-wide Coastal Resource Management Plan 4.18 0.88 1.99% Coastal management 45 Implement the Brewster Coastal Adaptation Strategy for public beaches and landings and engage citizens before coming up with specific plans. 4.18 0.88 8.15% Water resources 55 Encourage and promote a comprehensive public education about how to improve ponds 4.15 0.87 0.92% Coastal management 44 Consider best practices for minimally invasive infrastructure 4.13 0.88 4.16% Housing 31 Create ways to help seniors age in place. 4.1 0.88 1.07% Water resources 60 Study possible improvements to existing regulations 4.09 0.89 4.05% Water resources 57 Adopt more effective septic regulations around ponds and provide public funding subsidies to offset the costs to individual property owners close to ponds 4.08 1.01 4.17% Open space 23 Use zoning and other regulations as alternatives to land purchases in order to protect open space in environmentally sensitive areas 4.04 1.04 3.09% Community infrastructure 76 Identify areas for improving exiting bike trails and sidewalks and amenities 4.04 0.94 0.37% Open space 24 Use zoning to direct growth away from natural resource areas and to accommodate greater density in areas where it is appropriate. 4.03 0.98 2.65% Community character 11 Provide services for an “age friendly” community including transportation especially for the elderly and those living alone. 4.02 0.93 0.25% 4 10 LOWEST SCORED ACTIONS Building block Q # Action Average score Standard Deviation Don't know Housing 30 Develop creative public/private funding strategies.3.35 1.11 5.99% Community infrastructure 82 Research potential ways to provide transportation to recreation areas. 3.34 1.11 1.89% Community infrastructure 72 Conduct a feasibility/location study to identify the best location for a community center. 3.33 1.19 2.39% Community character 13 Create more opportunities for current and new residents and tourists to learn about the history of Brewster. 3.31 0.91 0.80% Local economy 41 Implement business friendly actions such as a town hall liaison, a mentoring program, and innovation center for start-up businesses. 3.28 1.06 3.49% Housing 27 Revise (or amend) zoning to permit accessory units (an additional smaller unit on an existing house lot) and multi-family housing. 3.12 1.28 3.28% Governance 68 Establish an ombudsman and greeter in Town Hall to facilitate citizen interaction with town departments, create a welcome packet for new citizens and business owners on how to get things done. 3.12 1.11 2.06% Community character 14 Create a “town center” including housing (for example, apartments above businesses), businesses and recreational outdoor space. 3.04 1.26 1.40% Housing 29 Create a Municipal Housing Trust to develop more flexible programs. 3.04 1.21 12.21% Community character 15 Allow for the building of intergenerational co-housing that includes social activities. 2.93 1.24 3.73% 5 10 HIGHEST DON’T KNOW ACTIONS Building block Q # Action Average score Standard Deviation Don't know Housing 29 Create a Municipal Housing Trust to develop more flexible programs. 3.04 1.21 12.21% Governance 66 Create shorter term task force opportunities for volunteers, establish term limits for Boards and committees 3.53 1 8.51% Local economy 39 Streamline the permitting process for small businesses, revise the permitted uses in various zones, and allow home occupations. 3.57 1.09 8.44% Coastal management 48 Identify techniques such as living shorelines, nourishment from dredged material, and land acquisition for retreat locations to adapt to coastal change, identify where jetties would have the desired impact and be permitable. 3.96 0.98 8.44% Coastal management 45 Implement the Brewster Coastal Adaptation Strategy for public beaches and landings and engage citizens before coming up with specific plans. 4.18 0.88 8.15% Governance 69 Consolidate and simplify the permitting processes for businesses and homeowners. 3.85 0.97 6.15% Community infrastructure 73 Repurpose an existing facility 3.73 1.13 6.05% Housing 30 Develop creative public/private funding strategies. 3.35 1.11 5.99% Water resources 58 Expand requirements for advanced wastewater treatment systems for commercial and residential development in sensitive marine watersheds 4.22 0.89 4.98% Governance 65 Create a volunteer clearing house to identify opportunities, survey available skills, and match skills to needs. 3.53 0.93 4.50%