Thursday, June 23, 2011

What's the Future of Falls Village?


The Northwest Planning Collaborative is hosting two public forums. The June 27th forum will focus on housing issues (description below) and the July 11th forum will focus on "creating jobs and supporting local businesses" - both will be held at the senior center at 6:30pm and there will be pie & coffee for all.


WHAT Falls Village Pie & Planning Focus Group Session:
Encouraging age & housing diversity in Falls Village
Come hear about actions Falls Village could take to create housing options from community experts and provide your input about housing needs and strategies.
Pie & coffee will be provided.

WHEN Monday, June 27th at 6:30pm
WHERE Falls Village Senior Center (across from Town Hall, 2nd floor)

WHO Sponsored by the Falls Village Planning & Zoning Commission. All who live & work in Falls Village are welcome to attend.

DETAILS Through the Town Plan update survey (April 2011), respondents said that the town should pursue housing and job creation strategies that would bring/keep more young families with school aged children in town. Many respondents also agreed that there is a need for housing that young emergency volunteers and school teachers can afford.

The focus group session on June 27th will seek to identify community supported strategies for creating housing options young families, volunteers, and teachers can afford. Guest speakers include: Bill Bachrack, Kent Affordable Housing, Lea Davies, Sharon Housing Authority, and Pat Hare on Accessory Apartments.

Survey results on housing related questions:
74% of respondents agreed that the town should pursue housing & job creation strategies that would bring/keep more young families with school aged children in town.

80% of respondents agreed the town should do more to encourage and support housing opportunities for families earning between $50K and $90K. (only 59% agreed for families earning less than $50K)

80% of respondents would like to see Falls Village be a community with residents of all ages-

60% of respondents would like to see Falls Village be a community with a diversity of incomes.

64% of respondents agree there is a need for housing that young emergency volunteers and school teachers can afford (22% don’t know).


BTW- full survey results and more info on the Town Plan update is available on the website

Wednesday, June 1, 2011