To Drive-up or not to Drive-up: What does Acton think? (Post Public Forum 2)

Background

Purpose: The purpose of this survey is to provide an opportunity for residents and business owners to revisit the Town’s bylaw regarding drive up windows. Currently in Acton drive up windows are allowed only for banks. Because COVID-19 has significantly impacted what we consider safe ways of accessing goods and services (as contact-free as possible) and because this in turn impacts the viability of businesses, the Town is considering expanding where and how drive up windows are allowed.

In an effort to provide a safe and healthy way for people to receive their goods and services as well as support local businesses, some communities are considering allowing drive up windows in additional locations and for additional uses. Some are considering making such changes on a temporary basis, while others evaluating more permanent adjustments. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards “digital drive ups,” where establishments allow individuals to order and pay with an iPhone or Android app and then pick up at the drive up window.

The first virtual public forum was held on October 15, 2020 to discuss these issues and a follow up public forum was held on December 8, 2020 to present the results of the first survey. The results of this survey will help with any zoning recommendations to the Planning Board.

This survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete and your input is important to helping us understand what Acton thinks about drive up windows and whether and how to make changes.

Question Title

* 1. Should the Town allow additional drive up windows?

Yes, on a permanent basis

Yes, a hybrid solution

Question Title

* 2. Should drive up windows be allowed in which of the following:

All commercial areas?

All commercial areas except for West Acton village?

No additional drive ups should be allowed?

Question Title

* 3. What criteria should be used in deciding if drive up windows should be allowed in specific locations?

Already developed commercial area

Avoid Historic districts

Availability of space for cars (queuing)

Traffic impacts

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. Should drive up windows be allowed in which of the following areas of town?

Kelley’s Corner (Routes 27/111)?

West Acton?

East Acton?

Powder Mill Road (Rt. 62)?

Great Road (including Nagog Park)?

All of the above

None of them

Question Title

* 5. How should drive up windows be allowed?

There are two ways the Town could incorporate drive up windows into the Zoning Bylaw. Drive-up windows could be allowed by-right (where a set of dimensional regulations and criteria are specified in the bylaw which would be reviewed by Town Building and Planning Department staff for conformance) OR, by Special Permit (which sets forth a set of dimensional regulations and criteria, but also includes a public hearing process and requires mandatory findings be made by a regulatory Board).

By-Right with set standards (Building permit and staff review)

By Special Permit (Board review)

No additional drive ups should be allowed

Question Title

* 6. Is there anything that can be done to improve the appearance and functionality of drive up windows (e.g. the way they are located on the building and/or site)

Question Title

* 7. Any additional comments?

Question Title

* 8. If the Town proposes a zoning change, would you be willing to support this at Town Meeting and at the Planning Board Public Hearing?

Yes

Question Title

* 9. How old are you?

Less than 18 years old

19 - 25 years old

26 – 35 years old

36 - 45 years old

46 – 55 years old

56 – 65 years old

66 – 75 years old

76 – 85 years old

over 85 years old

Question Title

* 10. What is your gender?

Female

Male

Other

Prefer not to say

Question Title

* 11. Where do you live?

Acton

Surrounding Town

Elsewhere in MA

Out of state

Question Title

* 12. Are you a resident, property owner, business owner, or employee in Acton?

A resident of Acton

A property or business-owner in Acton

Employee of Acton

Two or More