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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-10-06 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesCommunity planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 1 ` A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Howard, Secretary Goodemote, Board Members Ensminger, Griset and Jenks and Assistant Superintendent for Engineering - William A. Redford. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the September 15, 1986 meeting as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the September 22, 1986 meeting as written. The Commission discussed the "Town Planner" position. Mr. Ensminger and Mr. Goodemote met with Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner, on Friday and discussed this matter with him. On Thursday, Mr. Ensminger attending a workshop on State funding of a Planner position. Mr. Ensminger stated the State is interested in providing economic incentive aid for the purpose of enhancing community planning and management capabilities. They did mention that nine planners have been funded under the EOCD program. It seems to be working out well according to the head of the program. In meeting with the Town Manager, it seems the money does not appear to be very limiting. The only real crunch I feel could be secretarial support. He added that he felt we should proceed with this, the Selectmen will be looking for input. Mr. Goodemate stated I spoke to the planner for Hanover /Hanson who was hired under this program last year. My sense from her is that she understood that everyone that had applied under this program last year for I the position of Planner was accepted. Ms. Jenks asked was there any discussion as to past difficulties with Reading getting this kind of funding from the State? Mr. Ensminger replied no. Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 61 1986 Page 2 f r Ms. Jenks asked what is the time frame for this submission? Mr. Ensminger replied we would have the outline established by October 20. It think we need to get letters of support from other Departments and people within the Town. There should be a decision from the State by early January. Mr. Goodemote stated the Town Manager would be looking to this Board to garner letters of support from other Boards, Committees, etc. Mr. Ensminger stated we are asking for three year support. A Master Plan seems to be one of Peter's major concerns. The Commission next discussed the proposed letter to the Board of Selectmen regarding negotiations with Homart on the landfill property. It was moved, seconded and voted 6:0 to accept the letter as amended. The Commission next discussed the South Main Street and Central Business Districts. Chairman Howard stated we are looking for some kind of statement on what the major tasks are, time frames and who might be involved in making that happen. Ms. Jenks stated I think the main task is going to be collecting information in order to find out exactly what the main issues are. I think we are at the point of trying to get citizen input. To that end, a questionnaire is being drafted. The questionnaire will be given to the Commission by the 16th for review, approval and comments. We want it to be comprehensive, inclusive and useable. We will then take the information and have it computerized. We are going to send it out to all businesses in Town, all elected and appointed officials, all volunteer organizations, church and civic groups, every 20th registered voter and all Town Meeting members. Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 3 We will also ask the Chronicle to print this on a mail in form. We should get 300 - 400 responses back. The purpose of this is not only to get individuals to give their opinion, but also to get a sense of Community as to what they are looking for. Mr. Goodemote stated we might want to ask a series of questions on perceptions of traffic and safety. I also think the South Main Street "strip" and the Central Business District should be separated. Ms. Jenks stated I think we should schedule an informal coffee with the business people before they individually respond to the questionnaire, I don't want to give the businesses the wrong impression. Ms. Jenks stated we could also announce this at Town Meeting on November 10th. The Commission recessed at 8:25 P.M. to meet with the Board of ti Selectmen. All of the Selectmen were present in the Executive Offices as well as Town Manager, Peter I. Hechenbleikner. The Boards met with the intent of discussing the position of E"Town Planner ". Chairman Howard stated we are here tonight to discuss the need for professional assistance. He explained the E.O.C.D. program for funding. He added that we have every assurance that our application would be looked on favorably. The Town's share for the remainder of FY87 would be $10,000. We have in our budget a remainder of $5,600 which would leave a balance of approximately $5,000 cost to the Town for the first year. Chairman Landers asked if we were able to come to an agreement, what is the contingent liability for continuity after FY88? Mr. Ensminger stated all that is required is evidence of broad support and financial assistance for the remainder of FY87. Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 4 Mr. Hechenbleikner stated the figures here are fairly realistic. There are a number of issues of vital importance that need to be addressed within the Town. I think we can certainly develop the funding for the remainder of FY87. Based on the current guidelines as issued, I think we have a pretty good chance at it. Mr. Jack Russell stated we have had a fairly unpleasant experience with a Town Planner in the past, could these studies be done by individual consultants? Chairman Howard stated realistically, we would have to use both E approaches. Mr. Fussell asked how do you see the interface with the present Engineering Division? Chairman Howard replied I think the Engineering Division has been doing an outstanding job for us. Their support is in Site Plan Review Evaluations of Subdivisions, etc., and pretty much the day to day functions. They do not have the training to do revisions to the Master Plan, so a professional is essential. Mr. Griset added they also don't have the time or resources to do this. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated there really should be a team serving this Commission, including the Engineering Division and a professional Planner. Part of that function is to coordinate our in -house people, i.e., Conservation Commission and any other Boards involved in this. This way we can deal with things in a unified package in an expeditious manner which will serve the Community better. Mr. Russell asked who would this person report to directly? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied he would report directly to the Town Manager? Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 6 F Ms. Jenks stated a good example of our need for a planner is the South Main Street "strip" issue. We don't have anyone to coordinate the input on this. Mr. Russell Graham stated the problem I have is with positions being created without Town Meeting approval or input. I suspect there may be a problem at Town Meeting with the use of the Personnel Directors unused funds. Mr. Russell stated we could ask for an instructional motion at Town Meeting. The difference now is that we have a Town Manager. Mr. Hechenbletkner stated you also had an elected Planning Board. Mr. Goodemote stated I sense in the months we have been together and gotten into zoning and subdivision control there is a general sense of C ` frustration that we have become administratively reactive rather than a group that is giving direction. Without the assistance of a planner it is very difficult to get ahead of the game. Chairman Landers stated we appreciate those feelings that you have. We see the benefits to be derived when you get a full time dedicated professional on Board. Ms. Jenks stated we are very aware of the stories of the prior Planner, we are trying to be very sensitive to a variety of people in the Town. What we are trying to do is create a position where there is an opportunity for a variety of citizen input. Mr. Graham stated you should make a report to Town Meetinq on this under Article 2. Chairman Howard stated we intend to make a presentation to Town +. Meeting stating that community involvement and professional assistance is a way to achieve our goals. Mr. George Hines stated as someone who is currently outside the system, but who has been involved in the past, I would like to support I Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 6 this concept and I think it is very consistent with the community needs and what the Charter Commission saw as a direction the Town should go in and why we formed a strong C.P.D.C. function. However, you will have to sell this to Town Meeting. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Board of Selectmen approve the submission of an application for a Town Planner and prepare for a presention before Town Meeting. The C.P.D.C. reconvened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 9:4S P.M. The Commission again discussed the South Main Street "strip" and the Central Business District. Ms. Jenks stated the informal coffee will be held prior to November 10th. We will ask for a response to the questionnaire prior to November 25th. Mr. Griset asked what about the juxtaposition of asking for a planner and doing this type of planning ourselves without assistance? Ms. Jenks stated this is strictly data gathering. Mr. Goodemote added the other thing is that the Planner will do something with this data. The Commission next discussed Site Plan Review and Zoning By -Law changes. Mr. Goodemote stated on Zoning By-Law changes including things like Site Plan Review, are these things we should discuss conceptually and wait for a Planner to come on Board to try to effect By -Law changes? Chairman Howard stated perhaps guidelines should be written up for the Planner for mid - January. Chairman Howard stated we should give the staff guidelines on Site Plan Review involvement. Community Planning & Development Commission Meeting October 6, 1986 Page 7 ti Mr. Griset stated a Site Plan Review application should be filed for all cases and then a determination made as to whether or not a hearing needs to be held. Tom Stohlman stated it is very important that you realize you have a Law on the books that defines what applies and what doesn't. The definitions are there and the Building Inspector is the one who makes the decision. You will have an incredible amount of work to do if you take on the responsibilities of the Building Inspector. Mr. Goodemote stated the issue is enforcement of the By -Laws at this moment. Chairman Howard suggested that Mr. Redford send letters to the Building Inspector regarding the issues of Ace Art Co., Laschi's, Harrows (signage), and the Reading Diner and specify a response time from the Building Inspector. It. was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to adjourn at 10:35 P.M. 6eetc. flly su fitted, S ry 9