In this case, in order to avoid development of the surrounding open space, the town channeled new development into the existing 1980's development north of town and other adjacent areas by increasing allowable residential densities from two acre to quarter-acre lots. Homeowner opposition to the new development was eventually offset by the dramatic rise in their property values and the knowledge that new development would be carefully located and designed to enhance neighborhood character. A greater variety of building types, scales and uses has been introduced in the redevelopment of the suburb to recreate the variety and scale of the existing village. A new mixed-use downtown has been created around the existing commuter rail line. The same uses shown in the first illustration of the conventional development pattern have been incorporated into the more traditional town center.
Parking is located in lots behind buildings or in new structured garages with ground floor retail.
The scale and character of the town expansion is modeled after other successful community centers such as those in New Canaan and Princeton. The enhanced value of denser development in the town center has been used to financially offset much lower development density in the surrounding countryside. These findings have public policy implications regarding land use practices and rail stations. This could be achieved by establishing transit districts and encouraging infill development and retrofitting of towns surrounding rail stations. Traditionally, urban areas as well as many of this region's older communities have incorporated mixed uses into their downtowns and neighborhoods.