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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-04-27 Planning Board MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 1985 Chairman Rich called the meeting to order in Room 11, 52 Sanborn Street (Community Center) with all Board members (M. Slezak, D. Devine, S. Trainor and J. Wood) present. Also present was a reporter from the Reading Chronicle and Industrial Development Commission Chairman Ensminger and members C. Nitzche, D. Stroeble and R. O'Connell. Chairman Rich turned the meeting over to the chairman for the John Street industrial study project, Mr. Michael Slezak. Mr. Slezak outlined the format and the four finalists that the board would be interviewing for selection of a consultant for the study: 1) - Minot, DeBlois and Maddison, Inc., 2) - Lozano, t;hite and Associates, 3) - Connery Associates, and 4) - Economics Res-arch Associates. T'he nrocedure Ccr the in.turview would he twofold: 1) - discussion of the consultants' approach to the study; and 2) - presentation of consultants' credentials and projects of similar score. 11INOT, GC 2LOIS h MADDISON, INC. ❑s. Pamela McKinney, Vice- President HALEY & ALDRICH ❑r. iCesley Stimp,son, Vice- President Kr. Alan Gogan- Tilston 11s. Mc Kinncy of PIDM stated that her comany was a multi- faceted oraanization and outlined the company's depth of expertise and Lreadth of experience in relation to work outlined in the John Street study's "REF ". f:r. Stimpson of ifaley & Aldrich presented his company's geotechnical expertise, involvement with instituting the Superfunc legislation (Chapter 21E), and their familiarity with the John Street e:rea. Haley & Aldrich has conducted studies and worker, for the Reading Board of Puhlic Ivorks, 128 McManus and Boston Stove Comlany for projects in the immediate area. !is. McKinney and fir. Stimpson both stated that in their analysis they would look at problems inherent in development of former landfills: marketability- insurance and lending problems; real estate values; zoning; infrastructure; premium costs, and a plan for ecvalopment. In order to perform this study they would be looking at areawide demographics, current zoning regulations, current land use in the area, and available traffic information. Luring discussion the rrrpresentatives and members exchanged views on the program and progress of work, as briefly outlined below.:. working papers; documents will he understandable to the layman and will have technical back -up necessary for I,.vo lopers to pursue oevelopment in the area; 11,etir:•1 with town o£licials will be as freouent as needed for Loth data collection and progress reports on the study; - formal pre.sentati.nns will be limito,! to 4 including_ the final prese:ntetion to Town i4eetinq; no n_w borings will ba purformad; estimated cost for each nca hole would be 1 day /l hole = $1,000.00. - study will examine the infrastructure for all 3 scenarios as ' outlined in the RFP; assessment will be made of the physical availability of services, and present and future capacity; will help prepare information for a developer's kit. LOZANO, WHITE AND ASSOCIATES Dr. Eduardo E. Lozano, President Roberta Leary, AICP, Planner Dr. Lozano stated in his presentation that his company has all the in -house skills for this study and will provide to the town: - highest and best use of land - retain highest benefit /return to the town; - prepare detailed renderings /layouts for a developer's package to develop this site. In order to complete the study, Dr. Lozano stated that his company would look at: - land use planning and zoning - traffic and parking plans - market analysis within the 128/93 region - impact assessment to both commercial and residential (especially neighboring) areas within town - planned growth for development of site - cost - benefit comparison /analysis - architectural renderings, site and foundation drawings for office park plans and designs - infrastructure needs /capacity of services. Dr. Lozano and Ms. Leary outlined other similar projects that their firm had been involved in studying and developing. Dr. Lozano stated that their company had not specified a hydrogeological consultant but would leave the final choice to the town. He has performed work in conjunction with Haley and Aldrich and Whitman and Howard in the past. Dr. Lozano stated that they would be careful in assessing the premium costs due to the site being a former landfill.. CONNERY ASSOCIATES John Connery, President Michael Oman, Planner GEOTF.CHNICAL ENGINF,ERS, INC. Margaret Hanley, Geohydrologist engineer with expertise in hazardous waste site, landfills and industrial. sites. Mr. Connery outlined the tasks as he prioritized them. He felt that the first and most important task would be to perform the hydrogeological studies and Ms. Hanley reported on her approach: 1) - Environmental constraints; a - identify potential risks present at site from analysis of existing data; b - assess impact of expected contaminants on site and environment; c - identify remedial actions and scheeul.e of activities. Fir. Conn,-ry and 'It. Oman present,, thr it tasks 2, 3 and 4: Market study ].npact assessments anti Harket and Implementation strategy, As outlined they would examine: I ?' Mr. Clemons outlined his approach to the needs for developing the physical plan for the area: - will look at 3 scenarios and provide the traffic engineering, site plans, building footprints, parking lot layouts and infrastructure needs and capacity for each; - will assess land formations and development guidelines for each area; - will look at landscaping needs and layouts Mr. Enos outlined the approach by GEI wherein they would review the existing data, look for potential 21E problems, evaluate impediments for reuse due to its former use as a landfill; project premium costs for development of site. Mr. Mt,gathlin spoke of the current market situation: area in area is currently ov�rLuilt. There will to a decline in lane value because of this. The current vacancy rates for the area are 11 -168 for office /r &d; 118 for industrial uses. In reviewing and dovetailing the reports from Uhitman and Howard and GEI, ERA will project target market and marketing considerations for properly staged development of the area. After the meeting both members of the Planning Board and the Industrial Development Commission reviewed the presentation, proposals presented and their pros and cons for the four finalists interviewed. Hr. Slezak called the meeting back to order after gaining a sense of pref: rence from both boards and upon a notion duly made and seconded, the Planning i:',oard unanimously voted (5 -0 -0) to award the contract to Minot, De Dlois & Maddison, Inc. and their subcontractor Haley & Aldrich in the total amount for the study (as outlined in the "REP ") of 'twenty -four thousand five hundred ($24,500.00) dollars. A letter of acceptance will be sent to MUM notifying them of the contract award and asking for a contract to be forwarded for signature. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to have Chairman Rich sign the contract on behalf of the town and the Planning Board. Letters of notification will be sent to the other 3 finalists. There being no further business befora the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:00 P.M. RespecLiully submitted, Join L. D:ood, Clerk