Natick Center Plan
Start to think about the following questions:
Are there changes you would like to see in Natick Center?
Could new development fill gaps in housing, jobs, and amenities?
Could transportation improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists improve the vitality of Natick Center?
Selection of recent planning studies and associated implementation: 1980-90s: Facilities Plan saw implementation of upgraded
Town Common, Morse Library addition, new Town Hall, new Police/Fire HQ
1990s: Market study and parking study 1997: Design Master Plan 2000s: Parking studies Today: Several new developments; parking recommendations
implementation
We’re here to help the Town develop a cohesive vision for the future of Natick Center, incorporating previous planning efforts, new analysis, and your input.
How do you get to work?Please place a sticker on all that apply
Natick Center Plan
I drive I take the commuter rail
I walk I take the bus
I bike I work from home / I don’t work / Other
-2000
-1500
-1000
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
26255 133
-223
949
-535
2
-199
633
1164
-254
-1029
66
1
-77
-41
20-34 35-54 55-74 75 Plus
Multi-Family Own Multi-Family Rent Single Family Own Single Family Rent
Natick Center Plan
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 203026,000
27,000
28,000
29,000
30,000
31,000
32,000
33,000
34,000
35,000
36,000
Town of Natick – Total PopulationOver last 30 years, Natick’s population grew by 12%. Over the next 20 years it is expected to grow by an additional 5.5%. Over the next 20 years, the majority of growth in Natick is expected to occur among people older than 65, followed by 20-34 year olds
Multi-family units are in demand within Natick especially among 20 to 34 year olds. Single family units are also in demand but much of this demand will be met by housing stock freed up by older age cohorts.
Many seniors wish to remain in their communities as they age. Many 20-34 year olds want walkable, mixed-use communities. Can Natick Center help meet the needs of these groups and others?
Natick’s population is growing and changing
Source: US Census, housing.ma, MAPC projections
Change in Housing Unit Demand 2010-2020By Age Group
Natick Center Plan
Natick’s households are changing
Source: US Census, housing.ma, MAPC projections
1990 2000 2010 2020 20302.1
2.15
2.2
2.25
2.3
2.35
2.4
2.45
2.5
2.55
2.6
Town of Natick – Average Household SizeThe average number of persons per household is expected to shrink through the year 2030.
2010 2011 2012 2013 20140
100
200
300
400
500
600
32 29 24 26
66
Single-Family
Multi-Family
Town of Natick Residential Building Permits
Between 2000 and 2012, the number of building permits for single family homes has been remained steady with a recent increase. Demand for multi-family housing has shot up in recent years.
With the population projected to increase and household size shrinking, there will be a need for smaller housing units for everyone from young workers to seniors.
Natick Center Plan
Over last 10 years, Natick’s school age population grew by about 17%.
Town of Natick Impact of Selected Multi-Family Developments on School Enrollment
Newer multi-family developments have contributed 172 new students to the school system. The total student population in Natick is 5,368.
Natick has 66.6% single family units and 63% family households. Natick public schools estimate that the majority of their new students are coming from single family homes (75%). Newer multi-family development in the downtown can help to increase the market for additional retail and restaurants while having less of an impact on school enrollment than single family housing.
A Closer Look at School Enrollment
Source: MA DESE, Natick Public Schools, ACS 2010-2014 5 Year Estimates
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
4000
4200
4400
4600
4800
5000
5200
5400
5600
4577 46204567
46484721 4734
4825
4947
5065
52855368
Name of Development Total Units % 1 Bed % 2 Bed % 3 BedActual Students
(November 2015)
Natick Modera 150 44% 52% 4% 10
South Natick Hills 268 9% 72% 19% 39
42 South Avenue 11 0% 82% 18% 0
Castle Courtyard 23 22% 52% 26% 2
8 Grant Street 24 4% 92% 4% 10
Walnut Place 57/58 North Avenue 41 22% 78% 0% 10
Natick Mills-60 North Main Street 83 40% 54% 6% 29
Cloverleaf 183 54% 46% 0% 21
10 & 40 Nouvelle Way 215 21% 63% 16% 6
Avalon Natick 407 53% 47% 0% 45
20 South Ave 24 0% 50% 50% 0
172
School Enrollment
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
Typical inbound weekday boardings
Natick Center Station Access by Mode (2008-09)
Natick Center PlanSources: MBTA System-wide Passenger Survey, 2008 2009. CTPS
MBTA Blue Book, 2013
Natick’s commuter rail station is a valued asset
Natick Center is less than 18 miles from downtown Boston. After a drop between 2007-2010, ridership has risen strongly, growing 60% from 2010 through 2013.
Drive28%
Walk60%
Drop Off9%
Bike2%
Shuttle1%
A strong majority of people walk to Natick Center Station, a figure that may rise as housing increases in the area.
How could walking to Natick Center be made safer, more accessible, and comfortable? How could biking be further encouraged?
VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALHOUSING CHOICES
What housing typesdo you like? What housing types might YOU, YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR PARENTS NEED in the future?
(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it and write number on dot (5 per person). (3)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.
2 -Cluster Housing
3 - Modern Townhouse
7 - Multi-Family, Large Scale
8 – Multi-Family, Small to Medium Scale
4 - Single-Family, Modest Scale
5 – Housing above ground-floor retail
9 – Multi-Family, Large Scale
12 – Housing above Ground-Floor Retail
10 - Single Family
14 - Townhomes
15 - Townhouses
17- Housing above retail
1 - Two-Family Homes
6 - Multi-Family, Medium Scale
11 - Townhouses
19 – Housing above retail
13 - Attached Multi-Family
18 - Town homes
16 - Single Family, (Large scale)
VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALHOUSING CHOICES
What housing typesdo you like? What housing types might YOU, YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR PARENTS NEED in the future?
(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it (5 per person). (3)WRITE NUMBERon dot. (4)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.
VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALRETAIL, SERVICES & BUSINESSES
What types of retail and commercial buildings would you like to see in Natick Center?
RED DOTS RED DOTS
1 - Residential & Retail
2 - Office + Retail
9 - Automobile Sales / Commercial
11 - Commercial / Light Industrial
16 - Retail + Residential
13 – Mixed-Use: Retail + Residential
5 - Retail
6 – Office, Stand-alone 12 - Mixed Use: Retail + Residential, 4-5 Story
10 - Mixed-Use: Retail + Commercial, Four Story
8 - Light Industrial / Commercial / Office
4 – Retail + Office
18 - Automotive
17 - Office
3 - Office, Modern
14 - Office, Modern
7 - Retail, Stand-alone
15 - Retail, Single Story
(1) PLACE on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo). (2) PLACE on MAPwhere you want it and write number on dot (5 per person). (3)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.
VISUAL PREFERENCE POLL & MAPPING EXERCISE OF POTENTIALRETAIL, SERVICES & BUSINESSES
What types of retail and commercial buildings would you like to see in Natick Center?
(1) PLACE RED DOTS on PICTURESyou like most (5 per person, 1 per photo).(2) PLACE RED DOTSon MAPwhere you want it (5 per person). (3)WRITE NUMBERon dot. (4)MAKE MAP NOTEsaying why.
Priorities: What types of businesses would you like in Natick Center?
Natick Center Plan
DOTS CATEGORY COMMENTS (e.g., preferred locations)
Grocery Store
Additional restaurants
Pubs, bars, wine bars
Cafes, Bakeries, Coffee Shops
Clothing stores
Professional offices(Accountant, Lawyer, Dentist, etc.)
Specialty retail(boutiques, crafts, jewelry, etc.)Daily needs and services(Dry cleaner, daycare, pharmacy, bank, etc.)
Pick your top 4 by adding a dot next to your choices (one per category). Add additional comments in the space provided
(e.g., more specific recommendations)
Transportation Improvements
Natick Center Plan
What transportation improvements are needed in Natick Center?1. On the map, mark:
• Dangerous / challenging intersections• Sidewalk improvement / construction locations• Needed crosswalk locations• Needed bicycle facilities (bike lanes, sharrows, etc.)• Needed bike racks• Vehicular issues• Streets used as cut-through routes• Areas that could potentially benefit from a residential parking permit
2. Use sticky notes to write additional comments, suggestions, and priorities• In particular, what parking challenges do you have? (For example, is
during the day versus night a bigger problem? At the library? Other locations?)
Main Street Parking
Natick Center Plan
• 42 parking spaces• More dangerous for
drivers and cyclists• Load/unload in street• Retains existing
number of spaces
• 42 parking spaces• Safer for drivers and
cyclists• Load/unload on
sidewalk• Retains existing
number of spaces
• 31 parking spaces• Safer for drivers and
cyclists• Additional 8’ of
space for cafe seating, benches, or landscaping
Existing ConditionAngle Parking
Alternative 1Reverse Angle Parking
Alternative 2Parallel Parking
Vote Vote Vote
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