During the week of February 1st, three meetings were held at Town Hall to give residents a chance to review the preliminary concepts that Project for Public Spaces are working on in preparation for their upcoming DRAFT presentation of a Hamlet Design and Development Plan on March 6 at 2 PM at Mount Washington House.
A total of 21 residents came to the meetings.
In general, all participants saw the need to upgrade the look and feel of the Hamlet and the need for economic development. All favored the installation of sidewalks, lighting, seating, bike racks, trash receptacles and new “way finding” and merchant signage. They encouraged the possible development of walking pathways between shops or any areas where it would be possible to walk instead of drive.
All were also in favor of traffic calming strategies, including a reduction in speed limits entering the Hamlet and some physical changes to the roadway and its edges that would give visual cues for traffic to slow. It was clear to all that the intersection of 22 and 23 was a critical problem. Of the two solutions proposed by PPS—a roundabout or a tightening of the intersection with crosswalks—more were in favor of the "tightening" approach. There was general agreement that the top end of Maple Street next to Cobble Pond should be closed and that a solution (off of 22 south) to allow emergency vehicles to access the lower end of Maple Street needs to be found.
All felt that convenient parking within the Hamlet is sorely lacking, though where it should be located was also recognized as an issue that needs to be overcome.
Concerning public gathering places, many felt that somewhere around the new Town Hall would be a good place and that the Hamlet Park should be developed to include attractive seating and other features that would make it welcoming.
All felt that new development should be encouraged, including a possible Arts area on Anthony Street and moderate income housing for seniors and working Town residents. All expressed strong support for the development of the Rail Trail.
There was general agreement that all new development should maintain the rural character of the Hamlet, and that new development design should be in keeping with the current character of the houses that already exist in the Hamlet.
Following are some additional ideas that attendees presented:
* There should be no big building or big scale development;
* Sidewalks on 22 are needed for safety of residents and visitors -- it is too much of a high speed roadway;
* If there is room for on street parking, the parking spaces should be clearly outlined;
* Hamlet Park should have smaller, more intimate game locations for horse shoes and bocce;
* A water feature in the park would be very welcoming;
* An exit from the supermarket on Anthony Street would be very convenient.
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2 comments:
Are you kidding me? The town were you speak of is 5 miles long, give me a break. I agree yes new lighting and sidewalks, but come on. Our school is losing employees who help educate our children, and all you care about is what the town looks like? Its not falling apart, there arent any stores in town other then the liqure store, IGA, and the convinvce stores. Give me a break, I can think of other uses for the money you were either given or however you obtained it, for better uses, like helping the less fourtinate in town. I'm not trying to be negative, but this is rediculious.
Many thanks for your thoughts on the presentation this past weekend. The purpose of this blog is to engage in a full discussion of ideas. The rules require that posters log in so we can be as transparent as possible, however being many of us are new at this, we will answer your question. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER, WE WILL NOT POST ANY FUTURE ANONYMOUS COMMENTS.
First, Hillsdale is filled with many businesses, and the fact they are underexposed is one of the main problems we are trying to remedy. Yes, there are the ones that you mentioned B&G, IGA, Stewarts and Cobble Pond Gas Station . But you forgot:
Passiflora, Amelia's Day Spa, Hillsdale Diner, Goliath Art Galley, Neumann Fine Art, Hillsdale Country Realty, Crystal Journey Candles, Barns & Farms Realty, Past n Presents Gift Shop, Hillsdale Electronics, a new general store (opening soon!), Hillsdale House, Mt. Washington House, Herrington's, Flickers B&B, Red Fox Antiques, Scot Cohen Realty, Gardner Insurance, Silvanus Lodge, Trudy's Beauty Shop, not to mention some lawyers and dentists in town as well as others not listed.
While the ideas put forth may seem cosmetic on the surface, they are all aimed at making Hillsdale more attractive to businesses and pedestrian shoppers. We believe that this will lead to more and better jobs which will benefit everyone. One of the ideas we are most enthusiastic about is bringing the Rail Trail to Hillsdale. We've talked to businesses owners and residents in Millerton and they can't say enough about how the Rail Trail has brought in new business into the town. Millerton is thriving, so can Hillsdale.
We appreciate all comments and want to engage in further converstations, so please log in an continue to follow the blog. We are at the very beginning of a long effort and want as much input as possible.
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