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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-23 Economic Development Committee Minutesall", Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2014 -07 -23 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Maria Higgins lack Russell George Rio - Vice Chair Meghan Young Sandra Popaja Members - Not Present: Kar Weld Sheila Clarke Others Present: RECEIVED f oo CLERK FADING. MASS. low SEP -3 P Time: 7:00 PM Location: Berger Room Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. New member Sandra Popaja joined the meeting via remote participation. The EDC members introduced themselves. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya, seconded by Mr. Rio, the EDC voted to approve the minutes from the June 4, 2014 meeting as amended. Motion carried 4.0.0. Other Business Downtown Maintenance: Ms. Young - Tafoya explained that former EDC member, Michele Williams, reported that the alleyway had some maintenance issues, specifically that the weeds were overgrowing and there was some trash. She also noted that she did see some trash overflowing from several bins In the downtown area a few weeks ago. Ms. Young - Tafoya said she reported this feedback to the Town Manager and recommended that the Town start to think about these types of issues as the downtown continues to flourish. Ms. Wilson explained that she emailed the DPW Director who provided responses to the questions. Mr. Weld expressed concern that the cleanup of the Alleyway Is not being done "as needed" as the DPW claims. Ms. Young - Tafoya agreed, and said that the EDC should really ensure that it is being done more than "as needed ". Mr. Rio also agreed and would like to see more trash removal and maintenance especially during the summer months. He even suggested that maybe the meal tax could help offset this cost since the trash is Page I 1 coming a lot from the restaurants and activity downtown. As for the alleyway, Ms. Young - Tafoya reported that Ms. Williams suggested that the Town write a letter to the owner of CVS take care of the falling down fence. Ms. Higgins suggested the Chair of the EDC write a letter to the Town Manager recommending additional trash pickups and alleyway maintenance - including developing an alleyway maintenance schedule. The EDC asked Ms. Young to write a draft letter for review at the next meeting. EDC Website Ms. Wilson reported that this is something Ms. Clarke wanted to discuss as an agenda Item. Ms. Young - Tafoya indicated that she had talked to Ms. Clarke after the last meeting and Ms Clarke had shown her the Facebook Page. Ms. Young recommended that all EDC members look at the Facebook page and send Ms. Clarke any recommendations for updates. Ms. Wilson offered that Ms. Clarke could have also meant the Town Website as the EDC page does need some work. Ms. Wilson said that the Zoning Advisory Committee has been working on a permitting Flow chart as part of the update to the Zoning Bylaw, but that they have put that aside to focus on preparing the draft bylaw. However, the CPDC and the ZAC have recognized the need for a permitting Flow chart and a guide. Ms. Wilson showed the EDC the Dedham Guide. Ms. Wilson provided an update on the work of the ZAC which includes a total of 40 meetings, 4 public forums, a stakeholder breakfasts, meetings with Lions Club, Rotary, and Chamber. Mr. Weld recommended the ZAC email Town Meeting Members with the specific changes to inform them ahead of time. Ms. Wilson provided an update on the draft language for Accessory Apartments, Aquifer Protection District Regulations and Medical Marijuana Centers. Ms. Young - Tafoya and Ms. Popaja volunteered to start working on updating the Passport based on the Dedham Guide. Ms. Wilson said that the next big topic to discuss with the ZAC will be signs. She said that the ZAC will be reviewing that on August 13`h. Mr. Weld said that there will likely be a lot of discussion on political signs and what those regulations entail. Ms. Wilson went over the rest of the ZAC schedule. Ms. Young - Tafoya asked about whether maintenance of personal properties is covered under Zoning. Ms. Wilson said that it Is covered in the General Bylaw regulation and would not be discussed as part of the zoning update. Cultural District Plan Mr. Weld reported there have been two meetings so far on the development of a Cultural District. The meeting yesterday was held to focus on obtaining an Inventory of cultural resources. A working group has been set up from various Town departments and business owners, cultural organization representatives. Ms. Higgins said that the Consultant will be doing the research to find out whether there are enough cultural resources in Reading to be designated by the State as a Cultural District or whether a downtown partnership with a cultural twist is the route to go. Ms. Higgins said that It Is a brainstorming activity culminating with some recommendations on how to move forward. Mr. Weld added that this process will identify the cultural resources in Town and gauge their interest in creating a partnership or district. Mr. Weld said that the reason this Is being fueled by the EDC because we need to find out ways to bring people to Reading and keep them In the Downtown. Mr. Weld added that the next meeting for the Working Group will Page 1 2 be August 26rh at 5:30PM at Town Hall. He said the group will be reviewing the draft survey that will go out to the cultural groups. After it is finalized It will go out to the cultural organizations and will also be publicized in the bi- weekly update. Economic Development Plan Update: Ms. Wilson said that the Economic Development Self- Assessment Tool (EDSAT) report was presented at the Board of Selectmen Meeting on July 15`h. Mr. Weld said he did not think It was going to be presented to the Board of Selectmen before circling back to the EDC. Mr. Russell suggested that the Town needs to understand what land is left and how to market it Mr. Weld agreed, and said that lot of the land in Reading is developed and that most new projects will be redevelopment. Ms. Wilson showed the presentation from Mr. Bluestone of Northeastern University who developed the EDSAT. Mr. Weld pointed out that we need to Incentivize developers to redevelop in town and utilize existing vacant area. He suggested that 1 General Way would be great to build "up ". Ms. Higgins agreed and said that many developers are only make Improvements If It directly benefits them. Such as Mr. Mawn, owner of the MF Charles Building who likely Invested in that building because his bank was going to be a tenant. Mr. Russell asked If we still have the lists of available sites. Ms. Wilson replied yes, and she can provide a copy at the next meeting. She mentioned that we also have the priority development plan that was prepared by MAPC. The EDC continued to discuss the Town's strengths and weaknesses. Ms. Wilson said that the Town has been awarded additional funding to create an Economic Development Plan over the next 18 months which will help identify what the town wants to see in terms of economic development. She said once the plan is in place, It may be very useful to be a good guide to then begin the marketing. Ms. Young - Tafoya asked if the EDC would be helming the ongoing Economic Development process. Ms. Wilson replied that MAPC will provide some Input on how they see the process going, whether that is a working group or handled by Town staff. Work Plan Uodatea The EDC reviewed the Work Plan and the following is a summary of updates BFSI /Retail Visioning Program Surveys: Ms. Young- Tafoya reported that Pure Fit's signs are up. Ms. Wilson reported that the Butcher Shop still needs to submit the application to the CPDC. Ms. Young - Tafoya reported that The Flower Shoppe of Eric's will be expanding to the space next door and will be contacting Ms. Wilson to discuss signage. Program Surveys: Ms. Young - Tafoya said that for Program Surveys are complete. Ms. West has inquired about any surveys that the EDC had done from businesses who participated in the Building Fagade Program and the Retail Visioning Program. Ms. Young - Tafoya will write a cover letter and send it to Mr. Weld who can forward it to Ms. West. Ms. Young - Tafoya provided an update on the Reading Fall Street Faire. Mr. Rio reported that he has a lead on a stage that the Boston Downtown Improvement District may donate to Reading. DIET Financials: Ms. Wilson provided an update on the DIET financials and the EDC discussed the BFSI Program and how it could be different in the future. It was suggested that the program in the future be on -going and on a rolling basis. Economic Development Activity: Ms. Wilson updated the EDC on the Walgreen's closure and the Town Manager's letter and exit Interview. All pharmacy customers of Walgreen's are being directed to RiteAid. Ms. Young - Tafoya reported that she had read that Target is now doing "Target Express" in Page 1 3 community locations and that the Walgreens space would be perfect Flt for a concept like that. Or a Trader's Joe might be a good fit. . Ms. Wilson went over the remainder of the economic development activity Ms. Higgins asked about the demo delay application for 186 Summer Avenue. Ms. Wilson said that the plan is to demo the existing structures and build a Child Enrichment Educational Facility. Ms. Wilson reported that they would likely qualify under the Dover Amendment and that the Town has limited zoning restrictions under it. Ms. Wilson reported that the Hitching Post will be submitting for signage at 2 Haven. Ms. Young - Tafoya commented that the windows at 2 Haven provided limited opportunity for visibility Into the stores due to the design of the windows. The EDC agreed that the next meeting will be on August 20, 2014. On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya seconded Ms. Higgins the EDC voted to adjourn at 9:10 PM. Motion cabled 4 -0-0. Respectfully submitted, Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Page 1 4