Master Plan for the Town of Williamstown, Issues ... - VHB.com

Date: January 31, 2002Project No.: 077480062. Develop enhanced design guidelines for the Route 2 Overlay District to promote redevelopmentin a character consistent with more of a small-town village character. Such guidelines shouldinclude recommendations for providing enhanced pedestrian amenities and streetscapeimprovements, siting buildings closer to the roadway and providing parking to the rear of theproperties.3. Consideration should be given to providing new roadway alignments off of Route 2 that lead toa new secondary roadway that parallels Route 2, in a manner similar to that of Adams Road onthe south side of Route 2. The new roadway could serve as access to parking areas forredeveloped commercial uses along Route 2, and as such would alleviate traffic congestionalong Route 2 by reducing the number of curb cuts and access points along the roadway.4. With construction of the new roadway alignment on the north side of Route 2, additionalopportunities are presented for additional housing along the roadway and adjacent to floodplain elevations of the Hoosac River (an area which could also be designated for public openspace use). Housing in this area would be more suited for affordable multi-family housing units,given the proximity to the Route 2 commercial corridor and the public transportation servicesavailable.Promoting the Photec Mill Redevelopment AreaThe area surrounding the vacant Photec Mill site, given present zoning and a lack of other suitableareas in Town for industrial use, is best situated for redevelopment to accommodate lightmanufacturing or related light industrial uses.1. With demolition of the existing mill structures, the Photec site is suitable for development ofsmaller scale (50,000 to 80,000 square feet) light industrial/manufacturing type uses. As part of aredevelopment plan for the property, appropriate setbacks with enhanced landscape buffer tothe adjacent residential properties on Mill Street.2. To support redevelopment of the Photec site, redevelopment of nearby properties along therailroad line could evolve into smaller-scale compatible industrial and manufacturing uses. Aspart of the redevelopment of the area, encourage maintenance of the Coal Silos for their historicsignificance.3. Promote incentives for upgrades/redevelopment of substandard housing along Mill Street toserve affordable housing needs in Williamstown.4. As part of the Green River Linear Park, and a buffer between the Photec Mill redevelopment siteand North Hoosac Road, consider reuse of the Train depot as an amenity to support reuse of therailway as a bike trail. The depot could serve as a gateway facility for the bike trail, with a café,a bike shop/rentals and other public uses.\\Mawald\ld\07748\docs\reports\Phase 2\Draft Elements\02Land Use Element