Saugus residents to weigh in on future of Route 1

SAUGUS – Town officials are offering residents a chance to share their input on what should be done with Route 1 development, including at the Weylu?s and Hilltop Steak House properties.On June 16 at 7 p.m., the Economic Development Committee will host a public meeting in the Town Hall auditorium to hear ideas and concerns about Saugus? slice of Route 1. The information collected at the meeting will be used for future zoning project planning with the help of a District Local Technical Assistance grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The same grant planned the historic mills district overlay plan that Town Meeting approved in January, according to Economic Development Coordinator Robert Luongo.At the request of MAPC Senior Regional Planner Cynthia Wall, who will facilitate the meeting, attendees should come prepared with answers to the following prompts: what they know about Route 1, what they want to know about Route 1 and what they want to learn about Route 1.Luongo said the purpose of the meeting and public input is to “understand the existing conditions along Route 1 and formulate goals and objectives ? for possible zoning changes,” whether they address the traffic or aesthetic of Route 1 or the kind of uses at each property.The planning process could be the first step toward more “sustainable” mixed-use developments, said Luongo, versus the traditional one-story retail building. With a development that mixes both commercial and residential uses, Luongo said it will decrease the odds of a vacant building on the highway.?Some people could say there?s nothing wrong with Route 1, and some people will say we need to change it,” said Luongo. “We want to get a good idea of what issues we should study and what we should stay away from.”Luongo said town officials can start studying Route 1 within a few weeks of next Tuesday?s meeting.Those who wish to give input but are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to email comments to Luongo at [email protected].