Wayfinding Signs For Dennisport

I posted the discussion below in the Planning Department Weblog yesterday, but wanted to be sure it caught the attention of everyone in Dennisport.  The idea of the change discussed below is to meet the recommendations of the Dennisport Design Charrette, while at the same time recognizing the sign code does not regulate based upon particular locations in town.  Besides, the idea of Wayfinding in Dennisport, clearly has opportunities for application in other parts of town.

The Dennisport Design Charrette includes a number of recommendations for the town to consider.  One of these involves adopting a consistent set of signs directing people to various destinations within the village.  Not just the village center, but the entire village, from the waterfront cottages to town landings on Swan Pond.  The signs would become a part of defining what Dennisport is all about, but also would provide another method of ensuring people can get to various places.

In looking at the Dennis Sign Code there is no clean existing pigeon hole where you could say, “oh yeah, those signs fit under this definition.”  In order to implement this portion of the Design Charrette it would appear that an amendment to the sign code will be necessary.  The amendment will need to define the concept of “village wayfinding signs,” determine where they would be allowed (private property, public property, or both?), and establish design guidelines for the signs themselves (size, logo allowances, lettering, how many at one location, etc).  The following attempts to start the discussion.

Definition

VILLAGE WAYFINDING SIGNS – Signs located within a particular village designed to direct travelers to particular recreational or commercial destinations within that village.  Village Wayfinding Signs shall consist of signs that are a part of a town or village sponsored and coordinated program for the purpose of facilitating tourist travel, guiding them to specific paths or to local destinations as designated and recognized by the particular village’s wayfinding sign program.

SIGN TYPE	PERMANENT (P) OR TEMPORARY (T)	PERMIT REQUIRED (Y/N)	TIME LIMIT	MAXIMUM SIZE RESTRICTIONS
Village Wayfinding Sign	P	Y	None	Individual wayfinding sign slats shall be no more than 8 inches tall and 24 inches wide

SIGN TYPE	MAXIMUM HEIGHT ABOVE GRADE	OTHER RESTRICTIONS	NUMBER OF SIGNS
Village Wayfinding Sign	Maximum height 20 feet with a clearance to ground of 30 inches	Must contain on individual slats or within the set of slats the logo of the village.No more than one logo and six slats per Wayfinding sign Lettering no larger than 6 inches in height.

Your thoughts?

Hall Street Farmers Market

Yesterday I made the suggestion on the Dennis Economic Developmnt Blog that we consider closing a portion of Hall Street one afternoon a week to host a Farmers Market.  For those of you unfamiliar with the issue, the Dennisport Revitalization Committee and the Dennisport Business Association have been trying to bring a Farmers Market to the village.  Ideas ranging from Mike Stacey Park to the Catholic Church Parking Lot Have been considered.  However, each has its drawbacks. Mike Stacey Park has generally been a favored location.  However, the grassy areas of the park become inaccessible to children looking to play during those hours of operation.

Locating a Farmers Market on Hall Street itself would alleviate this issue.  It could also be tied in to other park activities, drawing many new visitors to the Village.

What do you think?

Help Improve Dennis Port in 5 Minutes or Less

How to help improve Dennis Port in 5 minutes or less…..Take the Village Green & Mike Stacy Playground Survey!

The Dennis Port Revitalization Committee is exploring improvements to the Dennis Port Village Green and Mike Stacy Playground to make it safer and encourage people to use the park more frequently. Please take a couple of minutes to complete the on-line Dennis Port Park Survey at http://www.mapsonline.net/dennisma/forms/standalone.html.php?id=254379017 and tell us what would bring you to the park. Thank you!

 

PROPOSED HOTEL ZONING DISTRICT FORUM

The proposed Hotel Zoning District plan will be voted upon at this year’s Fall Town Meeting. This district will have an impact on both the economic and aesthetic development of the Town of Dennis. To provide the town’s citizens with knowledge and background information essential to make an informed decision, the Dennis Port Revitalization Committee is sponsoring an educational forum at the Town Hall hearing room on Monday, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be Dan Fortier, Town Planner, crafter of the proposed law. He will explain the law and will be open for questions following the presentation. Information learned at this forum will enable citizens to make a more informed decision at the Fall Town Meeting.

Park Work June 15, 2010

We’re putting the finishing touches on the new Dennis Port Village Main Street Park today and we need your help! Bring your work gloves (and a rake, if you have one) to the new park at 12 noon today, June 15, 2010, to help spread mulch and do some light weeding.

The park is located in the center of Dennis Port Village, at the site of the old Henderson’s Hardware.

Hope to see you there!

Dennis Port Bench Program

Unanimous comments from the recent charrette requested that Dennis Port have benches and planters throughout the downtown area to encourage a comfortable shopping environment in the village. To offer these amenities, the Dennis Port Revitalization Committee is offering a bench program for people interested in memorializing loved ones or groups. The benches can be viewed at www.dennisportrevitalization.com.

This program will allow individuals or groups to buy a quality, attractively styled bench that will be memorialized with a permanently affixed plaque. To discuss plans to purchase one of these benches or for further information, please contact either Hank Bowen at 508-385-1934 or the Town Hall.

June 3rd Cottage And RV Zoning Meeting

We will meet on Thursday June 3rd at the West Dennis Graded School House at 9 am. At this meeting I will provide an overview of the land use history for the area and address how we got to where we are. I will also review the existing zoning code for the area. From there, we will move into a discussion of where we want to go, how we get there and what zoning can and cannot accomplish. I will bring copies of the “campground zoning” that has been pulled together to date and which is available here for your review.

Dennisport Design Charrette, Wrap Up

Prepared for the Dennisport Village Design Charrette, Dennisport Revitalization Committee by "B. Dennis Town Design, Providence, Rhode Island" and "Dover, Kohl & Partners"

The Dennisport Design Charrette was an awesome experience.  For those of you who were not able to attend, understand that a Charrette is really a start, not an end to a process.  As the Dennisport Revitalization Commitee moves forward with the recommendations of the Charrette, there will be many opportunities to be heard.  The town strongly encourages your continued participation in the town planning process.  This includes for Dennisport as well as the rest of the town.

Prepared for the Dennisport Village Design Charrette, Dennisport Revitalization Committee by "B. Dennis Town Design, Providence, Rhode Island" and "Dover, Kohl & Partners"

We have many things happening on the planning front.  Many required documents that have either been recently completed or are in development.  Recently completed is the Open Space and Recreation Plan, however this needs to be updated every five years, meaning it is almost time to start updating it as soon as it is completed.  Underway are the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and the Affordable Housing Action Plan.  Each of these documents require much input from the town, and also include short time frame updates.  We also have the Local Comprehensive Plan which will draw from all of these documents.  The Design Charrette will feed into the Local Comprehensive Plan, and into current zoning actions being considered.  Stay involved, get involved.  We need you to steer Dennis into the future.

Prepared for the Dennisport Village Design Charrette, Dennisport Revitalization Committee by "B. Dennis Town Design, Providence, Rhode Island" and "Dover, Kohl & Partners"

Prepared for the Dennisport Village Design Charrette, Dennisport Revitalization Committee by "B. Dennis Town Design, Providence, Rhode Island" and "Dover, Kohl & Partners"

DENNISPORT DESIGN CHARRETTE

You are invited to attend the Dennis Port Design Charrette Opening Presentation and Community Design Workshop and Technical break-out sessions that pertain to your field of expertise.

When: Opening Presentation, Thursday October 1st, 2009

Technical Break-Out Sessions: See enclosed schedule and listing

Where: Our Lady of the Annunciation, corner of Depot and Upper County Rd

We look forward to your participation.

Town of Dennis

Public Hearing Notice

Dennis Port Revitalization Committee

Dennis Port Design Charrette

The Dennis Port Revitalization Committee is holding a 5-day design event at Our Lady of Annunciation, corner of Depot Street and Upper County Road, beginning on October 1, 2009 at 6:30, to address the following matter: Dennis Port Design Charrette. The public is invited to attend and provide comment. Special meetings will be held with Town professionals. If you are unable to attend you may send comments to The Dennis Port Revitalization Committee c/o The Town of Dennis, PO Box 2060, South Dennis, MA. 02660 or to Tom at capesolar@verizon.net.

Dennis Port Pot Luck Supper

Please join the Dennis Port Revitalization Committee at the

Celebrate DennisPort!

Pot Luck Supper

Thursday Evening

August 27, 2009

6:00 PM

Doors open at 5:30 PM

Community Room at the Dennis Public Library

Corner of Hall Street and Rt. 28, Dennis Port

Be the community you want

Dennis Port to be!

~ Come one, come all ~

Have fun, make fun and

learn about our forthcoming Design Charrette

Dennis Port…Look Again