Presentation given on 12.8.15 at the Natick Center Plan forum given by MAPC in partnership with the town of Natick, MA,

1. NATICK CENTER PLAN
Public Forum #1
December 8, 2015

2. Presentation
– Where
– What
– Why
– How (and when)
Open House
– Browse the stations
– Provide your feedback
Study area; existing and future assets
Past planning; Natick Center Plan elements
Demographic changes; location attributes
Process, initial feedback; timeline

3. where

4. ½ mile “walk-shed”

5. ½ mile “walk-shed”
10 minute walk

6. TCAN Library
Major
employers:
2 miles
Modera
Residences
(40R)
Farmers
Market,
concerts, and
other
programming
MBTA Station
redesign
process
Town
Hall
Police /
Fire Dept
Natick Center
Cultural
District
P
P
P
P
P
Proposed
developments
Recent
developments

7. what

8. A plan that connects the past to the future

9. A plan that is context sensitive
and involves the community

10. A plan that incorporates past planning (where relevant)
 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

11. RECOMMENDATIONS
How do you see
Natick Center in
5, 10, 20 years?
What regulatory
and other changes
are needed to
achieve the vision?
Given market
realities, is the
vision achievable?
How do we
prioritize needed
changes?
NATICK CENTER PLAN COMPONENTS
VISION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Land use / zoning,
Transportation
MARKET ANALYSIS
IMPLEMENTATION
Short / medium / long
term priorities

12. why

14. Demographic data and projections
MAPC runs 2 scenarios: status quo and stronger region
• Stronger region assumes more people will be attracted to area,
younger householders will seek out more downtown style living,
senior households will choose to downsize to “age in place”
Fertility
MassCHIP &
Census 2000/2010
Migration
ACS & PUMS
Mortality MassCHIP &
Census 2000/2010
Regional Population
Projections
Households
by Age of Householder, Size,
Structure
Headship Rates By age,
Census 2010
Housing Units
by Type, Tenure, Units in Structure
Housing Preferences
By age & HH type: PUMS
* From review of previous projections vs actuals, the Stronger Region scenario has been closer
to accurate

15. 0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
5% Growth
Natick – Total Population is rising

16. Natick – Changing demographics
69%
Projected growth
of 65+ in Natick
through 2030
15%
Projected growth
of Millennials (20-
34 year olds)
through 2030

17. 2.1
2.15
2.2
2.25
2.3
2.35
2.4
2.45
2.5
2.55
2.6
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
Natick – Household size is projected to shrink

18. Preferences and demographics are aligning for
increasing demand of walkable neighborhoods
AGES 20-35
AGES 36-65
AGES 66+

19. 76% of “millennials
want to live in a
“transit-oriented”
neighborhood*
Why Natick Center?
 Transit access
 Walkable environment
 Restaurants and amenities
 Multi-family residences
 More affordable than some
neighboring communities
 Proximity to Route 128 + Route 9
employers
*2015 Urban Land Institute Boston/New England
and MassINC Polling

20. What we’ve heard so far
Love the
farmers
market.
Let’s
streamline
the
permitting
process.
We have a
great
burgeoning
arts scene.
We need every-
day retail needs.
…Like a
grocery
store.
Parking is more
of a perception
problem.
No, lack of
problem is an
actual problem.
But the new
parking changes
seem to be
helping.
But we also
need a
garage.
Main Street by
the T is a
challenge for
walkers.
Attractive.
Relatively
affordable.
Near the T.
More
restaurants!
Bars!

21. how
Photo courtesy Jay Ball

22. Process
Craft Vision
Recommend Changes
Implementation
Process
Craft Vision
Recommend Changes
Implementation

23. Opportunities for change (land use + urban design)
Uses
Size, height, location
• Total buildable area
• Number of floors
• Front, side, and rear
setbacks
• Maximum lot coverage
Exteriors
• Entrance locations
• Materials
• Architectural
elements
• Landscaping
Parking
• Amount required
• Location
• Landscaping

24. Opportunities for change (transportation)
Prioritizing the safety, comfort, and accessibility for all users
of the road
1. Routine Projects and Maintenance (local funds)
2. Temporary (pilot) projects (cones, barrels, tape, etc.)
3. Corridor / intersection redesigns (MassWorks, TIP,
Complete Streets, local funds)

25. Next steps
December January February March April
Open
House
Draft
Recommendations
Present
Recommen
-dations
Refine and finalize
Town
approval

26. Open House
Browse the stations for additional information and
provide input on the following:
–Overall vision
–Walking, biking, and vehicular improvements
–Parking concerns and options along Main Street
–Land use and visual preference exercise
–Future retail needs
Stay up to date with future meetings, presentations, and
other documents: http://www.mapc.org/natickcenterplan