Growth vision stresses balance
A group of volunteers that has been charting Hopkinton's growth is thinking big, imagining a town with more affordable housing, a revitalized center, new businesses, bicycle trails, better recreational facilities, and more sidewalks.
Those are just some of the recommendations in a draft proposal prepared by the Hopkinton Master Plan Committee and the Planning Board.
The Planning Board is to vote on the 55-page document early next year. Residents will have the final say on it at the spring Town Meeting.
The master plan will be used to guide the town in making decisions on spending, changes to zoning bylaws, and other policies.
Mark Abate, chairman of the Planning Board, said the real triumph of the master plan effort was the participation of so many residents through community forums and a survey.
"The same messages are clearer than ever. And they are preserving the rural character of the town, increasing the commercial tax base -- but in the right places -- and preserving the town's natural and historic resources, like the lakes and the trails," he said.
The 11-member committee and the board worked on the plan for about two years, with assistance from the town's planning director and a consultant. The last master plan for the fast-growing town was done in 1999.
One theme runs through the plan: A balancing act will be required. Residents want to lower taxes by bringing in more businesses to share the burden, but only if they can protect the rural charm of the town and keep commercial and industrial development in limited areas.
"The number one priority is keeping the rural character," said Sandy Altamura, a member of both the Planning Board and the Master Plan Committee. "That's where we walk a tightrope. It's hard to find a balance. You don't want to discourage industrial/commercial growth, but that can snowball."
Similarly, many residents say the building of new homes needs to be curtailed because of its impact on open space and natural resources. But planners say more affordable housing is needed so the middle class, senior citizens, public employees, and the children of current residents won't be priced out of town.
The plan contains numerous recommendations, some specific, some open-ended.
For example, it calls for more sidewalks along heavily traveled routes throughout town, and it advocates creating bicycle paths; the town now has none.
But many of the recommendations simply call for more planning -- such as "explore increasing rental options in town" and "retain a consultant to review and address Hopkinton's zoning to facilitate desirable growth."
Hopkinton earned a reputation during the past two decades as a place of robust growth. The population grew from 9,191 in 1990 to 13,346 in 2000, according to the US Census. The town estimates the current population at 14,500.
One tidbit buried inside the plan might come as a surprise. In a reference to Weston Nurseries, the draft states: "Today, this family-owned business plans to sell 615 acres and downsize or close its operation."
Wayne Mezitt, chairman of the company, said the garden center will not close and that downsize is not a word he would choose. For the past five years, he said, the company has been growing fewer of its own plants and will continue to do so, but that's nothing new.
"We're responding more to what our market is looking for," said Mezitt, by focusing more on sales than production.
He and his brother Roger have been in a dispute over the future of their land and the company for years. Roger Mezitt is a member of the Master Plan Committee. Asked about the chances of the nursery closing, he said, "I think you'd have to talk to the nursery."
Although he is part owner, he said, he has not been involved in the business for years.
The draft master plan is available at www.hopkinton.org, and residents have until Dec. 22 to comment. Call 508-497-9755, e-mail elainel@hopkinton.org, or write to the Planning Board, 18 Main St., Hopkinton, 01748.
