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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-04 Economic Development Committee Minutes` LM1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2014 -12 -04 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Sheila Clarke George Rio Jack Russell Sandra Popaja Meghan Young - Tafoya Members - Not Present: Maria Higgins Karl Weld Others Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Berger Room Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: â–ºDECEIVED OWN CLERK "DING, MASS, 1015 FEB 10 A 8 39 There being a quorum Mr. Rio called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Approval of EDC Minutes 11/5/2014 The EDC reviewed minutes of November 5, 2014. Ms. Young - Tafoya made a motion to approve the revised minutes from 11/5/2014. Ms. Clarke seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Buildina Facade and Sianaae Improvement Program Application from 632 Main Street The EDC reviewed the request from Family Dental, located at 632 Main Street. It was noted that the EDC previously granted the Applicant $5,000 for fagade improvements, but that the award was rescinded due to the amount of time that had passed from the initial award. Ms. Young - Tafoya attended the CPDC meeting where Family Dental presented its revised design which complemented the work done at Northern Bank's building, the design has changed a bit from their submission to the BFSI Program, but the CPDC and Family Dental felt that the changes complement the historic design of the building. Ms. Clarke moved the EDC to award Family Dental, located at 632 Main Street a grant in the amount of $5,000 toward fagade improvements. Ms. Young- Tafoya seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Page 1 1 Buildina Facade and Sianaae Improvement Proaram Application from 159 Ash Street The EDC reviewed the application for improvements at 159 Ash Street. The application did not include a lot of information and the EDC felt it would be difficult to issue an award at this time. Ms. Clarke requested that Staff reach out to the property owner and see if they could provide more information to the estimated costs of the improvements. On another note, Mr. Rio said that the new owner of the Wine Shop would be interested in applying. Ms. Wilson said that she did provide him with an application. Ms. Clarke also said that the woman who owns Healthy Changes Pilates may also submit an application for her blade sign. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that she has started working on the BFSI Program Document for 2015 and that it should be finalized in January. The EDC discussed the idea of the BFSI Committee and whether it should still be in place. Ms. Clarke said she really liked the idea of the subcommittee in that it brought folks to the table early in the process. Ms. Wilson said that the Development Review Team (DRT) also does that from a Staff standpoint and that she felt it may be too many meetings for applicants to attend. The EDC wanted to keep the BFSI Committee and Ms. Wilson suggested having the trigger for BFSI Committee review be Site Plan Review. ultural District Plan and Town Meetin Ms. Wilson provided an update on the cultural grant. She said there is a group that continues to meet regularly and their hope is to gain traction to bring cultural groups together downtown. Mr. Rio asked how Town Meeting went. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that the Zoning By -Law was broken into a few sections, but that it was still a lot of information all at once. Ms. Young - Tafoya also said that she wanted the EDC to be involved when the sign bylaw is reviewed, as she has concerns about the possible changes and think it is a worthy effort for the EDC. Ms. Wilson said that the sign by -laws may not be taken up for a while. Ms. Young - Tafoya added that she felt Town Meeting was very confusing to a number of Town Meeting members as the presenters did not provide an overview of the sections and for one night there was no presenter as was 'promised' in the initial overview that Ms. Delios and the Town Manager provided. The number of last minute decisions being made on the floor, and the fact that Business C was changed in March (to add mall and restaurant possibilities) without providing public conversation was alarming to Ms. Young - Tafoya as to what the true motives of the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) are as they related to Economic Development. ate on Economic Develoument Plan Ms. Wilson provided an update on the project stating that the conference call check -in was very thorough and we expect to have more information at the next in- person meeting. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that the interviewees indicated that Haven is becoming very popular now and that the MAPC will likely focus a PDA in that area. She shared that in some of their interviews, MAPC heard from businesses that we are not "business friendly" and it would be helpful for the EDC know if these are 'new' statements. Ms. Wilson reminded the group of the next in- person meeting which is scheduled for January 13, 2015. All other agenda items were tabled to the next meeting. Adiournment Ms. Young - Tafoya moved the EDC to adjourn at 8:10PM. Ms. Clarke seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Page 1 2