Faced with the possibility of a community-led moratorium on new development, Watertown initiated Design Guidelines and Standards for new development along the Town’s primary commercial corridors. The Guidelines were developed as the first implementation item from the Comprehensive Plan to concentrate redevelopment along public transit.
OUR RESPONSE
Nine categories organize new development and dimensional standards were integrated into the zoning ordinance using a 288-unit mixed-use complex as a test case.
The Results
The Design Guidelines and Standards have clarified developer expectations, expedited review processes and provide the general public with a greater awareness of design excellence.