Intelligent
Business Development & Transportation
Redevelopment of existing
infrastructure is much better than ÒGreen field developmentÓ
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The digital
economy is growing fast, and it is causing fundamental change and disruption to
traditional shopping plazas and Òbig boxÓ department stores of every kind.
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For some of
the same reasons that apply to residential development, it is far better for
the Town if existing business developments are Òre-developed,Ó making use
of the existing parking, utility connections, and other infrastructure. Only as
a Òlast resortÓ should the Town permit open spaces or woodlands to be changed
into office parks, shopping centers, or multi-unit apartments, condos, or other
residential uses.
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By way of
example, if a large (and soon-to-be-defunct) shopping plaza could be turned
into a much smaller yet much-desired grocery store (e.g. Trader JoeÕs or
similar) that required only 1/3 of the entire parking lot, etc É and the
remainder could be turned into affordable housing and/or a senior living or
elder-care facility, that would be a very wise use of infrastructure, at
minimal cost to the Town.
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Like most
other towns in our region, Dartmouth hasnÕt got much yet in the way of
meaningfully useful public transportation. But, with the rapid progression of
approvals and near-certain eventual construction of the ÒSouth Coast Rail
LinesÓ to both New Bedford and Fall River, we should get ahead of that curve by
working with the State and neighboring towns to do the following:
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Improve and
create regular, reliable bus service along all of Rte. 6, giving it priority
lanes and very regular times. (Think Òsimilar to the ever-improving Silver Line
in Boston,Ó with modern, fuel-efficient buses that come every few minutes).
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Modify our
existing parking areas for businesses along Rte. 6 to make it easy for people
to use new bus routes whenever possible, connecting them to rail service around
the State.
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Create &
maintain bike lanes, encouraging their use, whether for recreation or
transportation.
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Site our
affordable housing, senior housing and similar development close to existing
public transportation and local shopping and services, so as to build
community rather than creating more difficult commuting. Do not
permit dense housing on multiple single-building sites along busy roadways
(such as those, along the east side of Tucker Road north of Russells
Mills Road).