Study Circle 8: Congress

Congress Study Circle Report

Part I - A summary of major themes discussed by the group

Use public programs, buildings and open spaces to foster a web of relationships that gives residents a sense of connection, belonging and community.

  • Sidewalk accessibility for diverse population coordinated with bike paths
  • Intergenerational programs

    Time Dollars ­ Bartering (bank)

  • Parks in places where people will congregate

    Safe, clean bathrooms

    Refreshments

    Information Kiosks

  • Develop the South Mill Pond open space(s) into a vibrant, desirable town green
  • Value and support renters (guidelines for safe rentals, etc.)

    Use public land and tools such as tax incentives and zoning regulations to support social, cultural and economic diversity throughout the city.Align land use with promoting social capital; a balance of social and economic interests; environmental sustainability; and accessibility.

  • Encourage the return of essential services to the downtown area (i.e. drugstore)

    Allow and encourage urban density housing, cluster housing and co-housing mixed with public open spaces

  • Sidewalks/Bike paths ­ corridor access into town
  • Create a city that welcomes alternative forms of less invasive transportation
  • Promote a cooperative relationship with businesses to allow evening and weekend use of parking for public

    Not 24hr towing

    Public/private partnership

  • Support locally and regionally owned businesses to preserve character and uniqueness of downtown (tax policy?)
  • Riverfront walking (longer)

    The master plan should prioritize the health of our water, soil and air, and the city should become a regional leader and model on environmental issues.We need to work with other local, regional, state and national governments to manage pollution that is generated outside Portsmouth.

  • Mobilize residents to do reclamation/regeneration of North and South Mill Ponds
  • Allow for recreational use of South Mill Pond - iceskating, model boat racing
  • City to become a leader in environmental issues

    Supporting biking and other clean transport

    Green construction

    Alternate energy sources

  • Enforce noise limits on motorcycles
  • Have a long range plan that looks to health of our water, soil, and air

    Raise public awareness of long range issues

    See problem in context of appropriate governance area (some outside of Portsmouth/ regional, state, national)

    Part II - Areas of significant disagreement

    There was no significant disagreement.

    Part III - Conclusions and recommendations

    A vital “home grown” downtown that retains its character while increasing ease of access to all members of the community.

    1. Corridors and bike paths and negotiable sidewalks or footpaths feeding into the downtown area.

    2. Creation of well-placed clustered facilities where residents (and tourists) can sit on a bench, buy a snack, socialize, access information about community activities and services, and use safe, clean toilets.

    3. Creative use of private work force parking to increase evening and weekend parking while generating funds for the owners.

    4. Support for mixed use of retail and residential downtown space which would balance economic and social considerations such as affordable and/or accessible housing and a possible return of essential services.

    5. Expansion of the river walk from Prescott Park to Bow St. (public/private collaboration).

    A commitment to land use and zoning regulations that:

    1. Recognize the value of public buildings and spaces as gathering places for community members to gather and connect.

    2. Aims to create development which generates cultural and social vitality along with revenue.

    3. Integrates neighborhood interests with the interests of the larger community.

    4. Consider the best utilization of all existing city owned property to enhance the quality of our community.

    Development of a long range plan to sustain or improve the physical environment of our community.

    1. Collaboration with national, state and regional efforts to improve air, soil and water quality.

    2. Education and involvement of community members in city sponsored reclamation, regeneration, and recycling activities.

    3. Promotion of foot and bike traffic rather than reliance on automobiles.

    4. Zoning and law enforcement to curb air, light, sound and water pollution.

    5. Ensure our recycling program is both economically and environmentally sound.

    Promotion of Diversity and Social Capital

    1. City commitment to make it possible for older and disabled people to remain in their own homes.

    2. By-laws and zoning that protect the interests of the tenants who comprise 50% of the city's population.

    3. Support for programs that promote intergenerational connections to ethnic, social and economic diversity and local start-up enterprises.

    4. Explore Time Dollars ­ a program that promotes interdependence and economic self-sufficiency of neighbors/community residents.

    Appendix

    Raw data from group brainstorming ( meeting 2)

    Preserve character and uniqueness of downtown

    Build communities/co-op housing/shared space

    Elderly and disabled stay at home after physical crisis through house alterations

    Pedestrian friendly citywide

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Noise pollution

    Foster bonds of social capital / connectivity

    Acknowledge value of health of environment

    Affordable housing

    Tax structure

    Control urban sprawl

    Examine planning dogma/European style/mixed (blended) zoning

    Support mixed use of downtown ­ key to vitality

    1000 eyes on downtown

    Equitable political representation of neighborhoods

    Improve quality of Route 1 bypass

    Good quality air, water, soil

    Fix South mill Pond

    New ways to recycle

    Increase pedestrian / bike paths

    Zoning

    Parking


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