TOPSHAM
As Topsham begins its Comprehensive Plan update, the public is invited to a community planning workshop Jan. 9 to learn more about a tool that could help in forming a shared vision for the town.
The workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 at Topsham Public Library. It is free and open to the public.
Community members — residents, citizen volunteers, elected leaders, business owners, and other interested stakeholders, are invited to participate in the basic workshop on character based code, sponsored by Topsham Development, Inc.
These codes are being effectively used in communities across New England. The presentation Jan. 9 will demonstrate how character based coding can preserve historic towns and villages, and stimulate the transformation of auto-centered corridors into economically vibrant, walkable places.
Carol Eyerman, Topsham assistant planner, said this approach to zoning allows towns to create the form, or character, they want in town or continue the character the town already has.
“And that has to do with your streetscape,” she said. “ What does your streetscape look like? We don’t care so much about what use is in there; we care about what everything looks like on the outside. Is it human-scaled? That’s the idea behind it.”
Eyerman said the workshop will allow planners to present this approach to the public through an educational process, and see what people think.
After the workshop, participants should be able to more closely discern what makes the different neighborhoods and commercial centers in Topsham unique, and understand how the Comprehensive Plan can set the stage for new zoning to implement the community’s vision for the town.
The workshop features Maine’s leading experts in character-based coding, Vanessa Farr of Maine Design Workshop and Kara Wilbur of Principle. More information visit mainedesignworkshop.com.
The Topsham Public Library is partnering with TDI to host this community focused program in the Library’s Highlands Community Room.
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