ERVING — The Planning Board is considering designating four “Planned Unit Development” areas that would allow for “campus-like” structural clusters or maintain pre-existing building layouts with a desired campus feeling.
The goal is to increase commercial efficiency in town by increasing the density of commercial space, as opposed to having a layout with one building per parcel. Assistant Town Planner Mariah Kurtz said, however, that as of now, current planning is a “proactive measure.” While some businesses already exist within the desired Planned Unit Development areas, no specific new businesses are being considered for development using this option.
The four sites being considered for Planned Unit Developments, also referred to as PUDs, include three in the Central Village District and one in the French King Commercial District.
The draft Planned Unit Development bylaw states the purpose of PUDs is that they can serve as “a less sprawling form of development, which makes more efficient use of land … to maximize the amount of available open space.” With the flexibility of the overlay district, infrastructure can depart slightly from traditional zoning regulations to achieve the desired layout. At the same time, any new developments are expected to reuse historical buildings.
A primary focus for the Planning Board is gauging the feasibility of establishing a Planned Unit Development between Warner Street and River Street on land now owned by Renovators Supply Manufacturing. The property’s New England mill-style aesthetic would be adhered to during any new infrastructure implementations.
The Planning Board discussed in July potentially using a 200-by-50-foot mill building on the premises as a focal point for further developments. The board has approached the current land owner about the idea, but at this time, Renovators Supply has not made a proposal to move forward with a Planned Unit Development. Meanwhile, the Planning Board continues to consider the feasibility of using the land for further construction. Kurtz declined to comment on the suitability of the land as a foundation.
Aside from infrastructural feasibility, Kurtz said primary concerns people might have regarding Planned Unit Developments is how traffic might flow through one. The design plans include a single-entrance, single-exit campus.
Kurtz and Planning Board members say, however, that reception of Planned Unit Developments as a whole should be positive when considering not only how they affect the town’s economy, but how they maintain town character.
“The buildings should be consistent across the board in terms of aesthetic,” Kurtz said, reiterating the draft bylaw’s prioritization of historic structure reuse. “We would basically match.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.
PUD Draft Bylaw – Erving – 6-29-21 by Julian Mendoza on Scribd