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Study Circle 23: Brewster
Report from Study
Circle #23
Creating a working vision statement for the next Master Plan
The old Master Plan includes many ideas still relevant today
Our study circle notes that many themes we discussed were included and scattered throughout the last version of the Master Plan (see Appendix A for examples related to walkability).
We find many of these ideas to be just as relevant today as they were ten years ago. In trying to account for the lack of progress made in, for example, the area of walkability, we wonder if the lack of a vision statement with clear priorities had allowed this theme to drop out of sight.
From vision to implementation: the statement as a dynamic, working tool
We propose that the next City of Portsmouth Master Plan begins with a working vision statement.
This statement should describe, as succinctly as possible, the most important characteristics we want our city to develop in future years.
For example, if citizens agree that more affordable housing must exist for the city's lower income workers or that more emphasis should be placed on access for pedestrians and non-vehicular traffic, these ideas should be reflected clearly in the vision statement, so that the spirit of those ideas can flow through all related planning and implementation processes.
We propose that a new vision statement be used as a tool, a guiding compass, for all day-to-day business of the city.
For example, it should be the first link on the City of Portsmouth's web page. It will remind residents and inform visitors and prospective residents about where we are headed, what Portsmouth citizens want their city to become.
As a working tool, the vision statement should inform all planning processes, with individual recommendations and decisions at all levels of city government being regularly tested against the vision.
City officials should routinely ask themselves: how does this or that recommendation further our communal vision for the city?
As with all visions, it must be allowed to change over time, with continuous citizen input, ideally using the study circle method or some variant.
Major Themes
Walkability
In assessing Portsmouth's future as a vibrant community, our study circle endorses many ideas already present in the existing Master Plan (see Appendix A for details), especially the call for a network of pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths to reduce congestion.
We also propose that, in any redesign of traffic flow through Portsmouth, priority must be placed on the safety and convenience of all the community's residents.
To meet the transportation needs of all community residents, we believe that traffic-related committees should include members who represent alternative transportation interests, for example, walking, cycling, and public transportation.
Perhaps most important, we note the need expressed by some downtown merchants to regulate traffic so that Market Square is envisioned as the traditional hub of the community.
To further this end, the old Master Plan urged the creation of pedestrian walkways wherever possible.
We advocate a thorough investigation of vehicular traffic in the central business district with all options open, including the possibility of closing a few downtown streets to all motorized vehicles with the exception of delivery trucks and emergency vehicles.
We believe that a plan of action oriented to these principles will make Portsmouth a safer, cleaner, and quieter place while simultaneously protecting the historical and architectural character of the community.
Zoning/Planning
The goal of the Planning Department should be to enhance the physical environment and improve the quality of life.
To apply the visions from the Master Plan, we believe improvements in the zoning and planning processes will be necessary.
The current system should be modified to help home owners and developers navigate their way through the various stages of obtaining permits.
The current HDC process is often perceived as subjective and is not clearly codified.
To help improve the process, the City should work alongside the citizens and create a user-friendly approach with improved public awareness of all private and public development.
The current Master Plan is full of worthy ideas that have not been implemented.
We do not have to reinvent the wheel; we simply need to streamline the zoning/planning process to make them effective.
Economic Development
The future economic base of the City of Portsmouth should be protected, expanded, and diversified while remaining open to the best of the technological innovations of the 21st century.
At the same time, we should maintain the city's historical charm and promote to potential employers its main economic asset: the people who live and work in the city.
Specifically, we believe that future Economic Development should focus on and include: the Pease International Trade port, the North End/Waterfront area, the current Post Office building, the Market Street Extension area, the West End/Islington Street area, and the Portsmouth Fisherman's Cooperative.
Within these geographic areas the city - with federal, state, and private subsidies - the city should consider the specific ideas mentioned in our recommendations.
Community Development
We identified several key areas or points where development is under discussion. These are listed below with the Study Circle's recommendations or general thoughts.
The general principles behind all development in the City should be to:
1) Preserve and expand the historic character of the city evident in the Historic District to other areas of development;
2) Provide essential services to residents within walking distance of their homes and multi-family dwellings including Sr. Housing;
3) Maintain the current downtown active streetscape by insisting on commercial use of the first floor of residential and office buildings;
4) Whenever possible put parking facilities on the periphery of downtown, outside the Historic District, and construct parking facilities to be unobtrusive and consistent with historic architecture.
Recommendations
Walkability
Zoning/Planning
Economic Development
Community Development
Appendix A: Excerpts from Existing Master Plan
Chapter 5 Transportation:
P.45: Introduction: “....The demands being placed on it [transportation network in the seacoast region] are exceeding its capacity and mounting problems, many of which are not being addressed, are affecting the qualities that make this area an attractive place to live and work. Time and again it becomes evident that transportation issues should be addressed comprehensively.” [all emphasis added by our group]
P.45-46: “The automobile is going to remain the dominant transportation mode and a balance between it and other modes must be achieved. Alternatives to the motor vehicle such as bicycles, walking, commuter vehicle pools, public transportation, and passenger rail service should be encouraged.”
P.48-49: “The following priorities should be established within the initial Transportation System Management Plan. [5th bulleted item] “Establish guidelines for alternative transportation modes including bicycles, walkways and commuter services...”
P.49: “A public transportation terminal should be established in the High Hanover Parking Garage. Situated properly, it could service other transportation modes and reduce traffic congestion in Market Square. To reduce further congestion, additional efforts should be made to develop bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways.”
Chapter 8 Recreation:
P.87 Under 5th guideline, “Throughout the Master Plan process a public call for bike paths and increased open space areas in Portsmouth has been heard. Residents have voiced a demand for such paths as an alternative transportation mode and as another recreation opportunity for all ages.”
P.88: Under 8th guideline, “A final guideline for Portsmouth is the disjointed nature of the park system The lack of connecting walking or biking trails between parks in proximity to each other should be examined....”
P.89: Under Goal 3, “Undertake a feasibility study of Citywide bike paths. Provide a connecting bike and pedestrian path via streets, parks, easements as an alternative mode of transportation and as a resident and tourist recreation option. The city of Burlington, VT's bike system could serve as a model.”
P.94: Conclusion: “....The feasibility of bike paths and improved waterfront recreation opportunities should be a priority.”
Chapter 10 Historic Resources:
P.103: “Some downtown shop owners have commented that the major one way streets (Congress & State Streets) streamline potential customers through the downtown rather than encourage the downtown to be the destination point....This factor detracts from the traditional interpretation of the downtown as the hub of the community, and from the viability of the downtown as a commercial center.”
P.109: Goal 6: “Encourage a transportation plan which is sensitive to historic Portsmouth. One consideration would be to reduce the number of one-way streets which streamline traffic through the downtown rather than encourage the downtown as a destination point.”
P.110: “Create pedestrian walkways where possible (Ceres St. portions of Chestnut St.)”
P.116: “Develop a complete and current data base regarding not only the needs of the community, but also the values which the community holds regarding the importance of social services in Portsmouth...An important component of this process is citizen participation.
P.121 “Its (social service needs) purpose is to help Portsmouth remain a diverse and caring city: The City of the Open Door.”
Chapter 12 Land Use:
P.126 “It is important for the Central Business District to be economically viable, diverse, livable, and protective of its historical character.”
Appendix B: Minority Report by Denise Rollins
The following suggestions further develop Denise's ideas for economic development:
Form a Permanent Economic Development Initiatives Committee (EDIC)
Encourage Promote Grants within Business Enterprise Zones (BEZ's)
Create a Seacoast Venture Capital Fund (SCVF)
Facilitate a Business Incubator Facility (BIF)
Create Business Profits Tax-Reduced & Import/Export Duty-Free Zones
Business Profits Tax Reduction Zones
Appendix C: Minority View by Barbara M. Ward
It is my feeling that we should be very careful not to overtax the already overburdened central business district with the traffic created by a major event venue in the Northern Tier. Instead, this area should be developed in a manner consistent with the adjacent Historic District, with broad sidewalks, and areas that encourage people to congregate. Above all, the streetscape should include retail businesses on the first floor that keep our streets lively and safe. The creation of “dead” zones in this area where there is little daily foot traffic will create safety problems. The development of the Northern Tier is an issue of such significance to the character of Portsmouth that it should not be undertaken without the input from citizens on the Study Circle model. Any development of the area should take into consideration the vitality of the Port of Portsmouth as a working harbor (a major draw for tourists and the core of our economic history), and the existence of railroad tracks here that could be utilized to re-establish passenger railroad service between Portsmouth, Portland, and Boston. Such public transportation would open up the possibility of locating an event venue in the Northern Tier area because it would alleviate some traffic and parking problems. I also believe, contrary to many other members of the group, that closing streets in the Central Business District to vehicular traffic would be a tragic mistake. This approach has been unsuccessful in many cities, e.g. Salem, Massachusetts, and Wilmington, Delaware, two places where I have lived. In Portsmouth, witness the “deadness” of the Hill area, and the lack of interest among retail businesses in locating in that area. On the other hand I do heartily agree with other members of the group that we could do a better job of directing vehicular traffic so that we lead people into the city rather than drawing them away. A classic example of the current “barriers” to effective travel in the city is the difficulty that visitors have in negotiating the route from Route 95, Exit 7 to Court Street, Strawbery Banke, and Prescott Park.
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