New uses mulled in Eastham Master Plan for T-Time, Town Center Plaza and Council on Aging
EASTHAM — The questions posed by town residents at the third public workshop on Eastham’s Master Plan showed just how hard it is to arrive at a community consensus.
At issue was how to decide on uses for the T-Time, Town Center Plaza and Council on Aging properties. This third workshop comes after years of work by volunteer committees and town officials trying to determine best uses for the properties.
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The preferred concept designs, based on community surveys, have included the creation of housing and open space, sustained existing commercial space, and walkable communities in the Town Center and T-Time parcels.
Union Studio Architecture and Community Design has been engaged in drawing up a variety of conceptual plans for the properties. The company’s Senior Associate Jeremy Lake walked the crowd through a series of survey results and designs showing what town residents might expect.
But Lake said the designs were still in flux, and there is a lot of work ahead before any plans are finalized.
Town Manager Jackie Beebe said it could take two to five years to iron out details.
“There is a lot of work ahead,” Lake said.
Community center for T-Time property?
Union Studio used four cornerstones for the designs of the 11-acre parcel T-Time property. The plans included a community center, housing, mixed use development, and open space. Anchoring the plans are a proposed 20,000- to 30,000-square-foot community center that would be home to the Recreation Department, Council on Aging, and a gym.
Plans for a pool are still up in the air. One design included a splash pad and playground where the pool would be.
Mixed use is planned with apartments above commercial space, and perhaps areas for pop-up events such as farmers markets.
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There would be 40 units, but would not include big structures or single-family homes. Whether they would be deemed affordable, attainable or for the elderly is still up in the air.
Creating walkable and green space with access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail were shown in different configurations.
The most popular design with residents was one that had a community center in the middle of the lot, housing situated towards the back, and mixed-use buildings close to Route 6.
The property will need some septic design. A recharge for wastewater is being considered underneath the green space
Housing, retail mulled for Town Center Plaza
Plans for the 3.8-acre Town Center Plaza, bought in March for $2.8 million, will maintain space for the six current businesses. Top-of-shop housing for those making 80% to 150% AMI is being considered.
Possible plans call for at least 13,000 square feet of commercial space, 26 housing units, a community pavilion situated at the back of the parcel, with places for trash pickup, parking, and tree canopies.
Future mulled for Council on Aging
One scenario would leave the COA building as it is, but improvements are needed to the structure. Lake said making modifications to the building for housing doesn’t seem feasible.
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Another possibility is to create a cottage court with eight cottages towards the back of the parcel, and two structures along Nauset Road that look like single-family homes. Those homes would each include two units; one would be an accessory dwelling unit.
Some residents wanted a pool
Several participants at the workshop shared their objections to the splash pad and playground instead of a pool at the T-Time parcel. Lake said discussions are ongoing about regional efforts for a pool.
Janet Dimitri, owner of the Friendly Fisherman in the Town Center Plaza parcel, was adamant that the plans shown would hurt her business. She said poor sight lines to her restaurant, and the corner building placement on the property could drive her out of business. Beebe said the town intends to work with all businesses impacted by the plan to make sure they are successful.
“The town has no desire to hurt businesses,” Beebe said.
One gentleman suggested the Council on Aging remain where it is, citing traffic concerns on heavily traveled Rte. 6, and accessible parking for elderly residents.
When asked about the possibility of adding pickleball courts to T-Time, Lake said sound was often a complaint associated with the courts.
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Proposals being presented at Select Board next month
Union Studio will present plans at a December Select Board meeting. That date hasn’t been set. Lake said there was still refining to do, that the public can still comment on the plans, and that an impact analysis on costs and traffic still need to be completed.
“There is nothing final about this plan,” Beebe said, adding that the Select Board needs to look at it, and a wastewater plan and Route 6 plan need to be incorporated into any final designs. It could take two to five years, she said.
Before the town can spend any money on the plans, it would need approval from voters at a town meeting.
The preferred concept designs can be found at www.northeasthammasterplan.com.
Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Eastham presents Master Plan for T-Time, Town Center Plaza, COA
