Town working with MAPC to re-envision Junction

Mixed housing development, improved sidewalks, new paths and trails, and community spaces — all of these and more could be part of the future of Canton Junction as the town embarks on a new visioning study for the area under the leadership of Town Planner Laura Smead and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).

Canton Junction train station (George Comeau photo)

The study, which is funded through a grant from the MAPC, will look to determine what uses could be viable and desirable in the area around the Canton Junction Commuter Rail Station while being sensitive to the long-range vision for the town and neighborhood. This community-driven process will lead to the development of a vision for the area as well as strategies to achieve that vision.

In addition to distributing an online survey, MAPC staff and Smead recently hosted a public workshop at the Canton Public Library that was attended by approximately 25 residents. Attendees participated in small group discussions where they offered their thoughts and ideas on future development opportunities, types of buildings, and new amenities.

The entire process is expected to take approximately nine months, and the MAPC findings will be included in the updated town Master Plan, which is expected to be completed by the fall of 2019. However, this effort is being undertaken with the understanding that “current land owners have no immediate plans to sell or significantly redevelop their property.”

The main study area of Neponset, Jackson, Chapman and Revere and Sherman streets spans 43 acres and consists of 39 parcels, excluding the MBTA parking lots, 37 buildings and 47 housing units. The secondary study area includes the portion of Revere Street from the Junction to the soon-to-be completed Paul Revere Heritage Site and comprises 13 acres, 13 parcels, 12 buildings and six housing units. The district allows for a mixture of industrial, retail and office, and general residence zoning.

Although there is not a lot of open space in the area, the MAPC believes that part of the industrial zone near the train station may be currently underutilized and offers the potential for creating a “unique multi-use district with a mix of programming, ranging from residential units to retail/restaurant space to light industrial uses.”

According to the MAPC, there is opportunity for “equitable transit-oriented development,” providing access to jobs for people who rely on transit; help meet the town’s housing needs; help lower vehicle traffic; and create a sense of a walkable neighborhood and an area that better connects to the Paul Revere Heritage Site and Canton Center.

According to the MAPC, Canton now has a population of 22,560 but it is projected to grow to 26,270 by 2030. The town is also projected to drop below the state-mandated affordable housing threshold of 10 percent by 2035. (Canton’s current affordable housing percentage is 12.5 percent.) Currently, 14 percent of residents take public transportation — up 4 percent from 2010 — and the MAPC estimates that 25 percent of residents either take public transit, walk, or carpool to work.

In an initial general comment about the study area, MAPC planners indicated that there are strong opportunities for redevelopment. They also noted that parking is a dominant feature in parts of the site, which hinders pedestrians and bicyclists, and there is a hodgepodge of land uses and building types as well as a lack of sidewalks on Revere Street.

Chris Kuschel, senior regional planner for the MAPC, said his organization is now compiling and analyzing the comments from the March 27 workshop. At first glance, he said, the comments revealed a number of common themes:

* Future vision for a mixed-use neighborhood should seamlessly connect to the downtown area (yet have a distinct feel), be walkable and have traditional architecture.

* Many residents discussed accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and all of the discussion groups envisioned improved road conditions and off-road paths.

* The area around Chapman and Jackson Street was envisioned as a transition zone from the abutting residential districts. This would include some townhouse and cottage-cluster housing as well as some commercial uses.

* The area around Jackson and Neponset Street and the railroad tracks was envisioned as a location for mixed-use development, including plans to develop the commuter lots and establish a structured parking facility.

* One group envisioned the potential for more entertainment options such as a space for community theater.

Smead said the group she facilitated focused on creating “a more walkable neighborhood with a balanced mix of housing and commercial spaces. For housing, participants liked a more traditional townhouse style but were amenable to a mixed-use style and slightly higher heights and densities (four stories, for instance) closer to the train station. For commercial uses, participants favored the idea of more restaurants, small grocery and convenience stores, or stores that could serve the commuting public.

Concerning open space, the group liked the idea of creating more paths and trails connecting to the ones within the Paul Revere Heritage Site. They also suggested plaza spaces, outdoor seating, and the possibility of a dog park.

Several residents expressed hope that the MBTA would convert surface parking to a structured parking garage and then sell or redevelop the remaining parking areas into a mixed-use development. They hoped Revere Street could be become all residential. Residents were also were interested in best practices around energy efficiency and stormwater management.

Other ideas suggested during the evening for the Junction parking lot area included relocation of the downtown post office building, creation of a community farmer’s market, and construction of a children’s playground.

For more information about the Canton Junction visioning study and to take the online survey, visit www.town.canton.ma.us/736/Canton-Junction-Planning.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 11 2019. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.