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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-09 ad Hoc - Library Landscape Committe MinutesPP[JO Town of Reading T c""IV I CL RK o fir. Meeting Minutes Is _1,, .1NG, A4.A. 0�'""` 01024 A0223 rt"H 2: 30 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee Date: 2023-11-09 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Public Library Location: Conference Room Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Session: Open Session Purpose: General Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Genady Pilyaysky, Chair; Cherrie Dubois, Vice -Chair; lake Soucy, Secretary; Andrea Hogan (remote), Desirde Zicko (remote) Members - Not Present: Cappy Popp, Elaine Stone, Others Present: Stephen Crisafulll, Activitas Project Manager (remote); Meghan Donahoe, Activitas Landscape Designer (remote); Larry Hayes, Resident; Mary Soucy, Resident (remote); Ben Cares, Economic Development Director; Amy Lannon, Library Director; Meaghan Clemente, Library Administrative Assistant; Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jake Soucy, Secretary Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order at 7:07 p.m. II. Neighborhood Listening Session Regarding the Library Landscape Project Ms. Lannon welcomed Mr. Crisafulli and Ms. Donahoe from Activitas, a landscape architecture and civil engineering firm working on the design study for the Library's exterior landscape space. Activitas has come to be a valuable partner to the Town of Reading through previous work on numerous projects including the recent Birch Meadow park renovations. A town -wide recreation master plan is also in development. Ms. Lannon reviewed the members of the Landscape Improvements Study Project Team including herself, Economic Development Director Ben Cares, Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol, Town Manager Fidel Mallez, Director of Facilities Joe Huggins, Assistant Director of Facilities Kevin Cabuzzi, Town Engineer Ryan Percival and Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee Members Cherrie Dubois, Andrea Hogan, and DesirAe Zicko. The Library has been thinking about revitalizing its outdoor space since conducting major interior renovations during its 2016 building project and has recently engaged with Activitas to develop feasibility and design concept ideas. The Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee has identified priority elements for the project including programming opportunities, neighborhood connections, universal accessibility, signage, lighting, and a review of existing park vegetation. The project team hopes to gain community input for the space and its connection to the surrounding neighborhood. Page 1 1 Ms. Lannon reviewed the Library's core mission to provide a place and platform for individuals in the community to learn and connect, as well as the core values of education, equity, accountability, and access. Dedicated outdoor space for educational events such as nature lessons, plants and gardening, outdoor story -times, and concerts is essential, as well as space for small groups to engage in study sessions, book clubs, and other discussions. Ms. Lannon noted the importance of climate -friendly additions to the project such as encouraging birds and pollinators and establishing sustainable water access to facilitate ease of care and maintenance for native plantings. Accessibility is also a priority for sidewalks, walkways, and ramps. Mr. Crisafulli presented an overhead site analysis of the library space, noting existing access paths for pedestrians and vehicles, lighting fixtures, gathering spaces, grade differentials, and other details. Images of existing conditions and amenities were reviewed. An analysis of the library parking area as well as neighborhood on -street parking was showcased. The project is not anticipated to have a major impact on parking. Various precedent images of existing outdoor community landscape areas were presented. A natural amphitheater area featuring tiered stone seating may have multi- use applications and work well with existing site topography. However, accessibility and lighting must be carefully considered. Examples of gathering spaces and other flexible opportunities for temporary outdoor events were highlighted. Mr. Crisafulli invited attendees to provide feedback. Mr. Hayes questioned driveway placement. The current pull-through area in front of the library building, allowing for the flow of exiting vehicles from the parking area, and other existing hardscaping, is planned to remain in place. Mr. Cares noted additional parking spaces along the exiting drive. Ms. Lannon reviewed the placement of a Memory Tree pine tree, walkways, and bike racks. Dr. Pilyaysky stressed the existence of opportunities on the side lawn facing School Street, where many outdoor concerts, gatherings, and events are currently held. Mr. Hayes commented on the annual Vehicle Day event, held primarily in the Library parking area. Typically taking place on Tuesdays, this event conflicts with the neighborhood's rubbish collection day. Ms. Soucy noted the difficulty of the hilly landscape and the broken -up nature of the space in general. The steepness of the walkway down to School Street was discussed, which may cause accessibility issues. Relocating the egress closer to Deering Street would provide additional lawn space, but would eliminate library parking spaces and may cause issues with emergency vehicle access. Ms. Lannon noted that the driveway previously wrapped around the entire building before the renovations and that the area in front of the library once served as a flatter event space. The possibility of a rotary -style entrance and exit with plantings or a fountain was also briefly discussed. Additional square footage of greenery would be beneficial. Although solar panels would be a separate project, the amount of sun over the parking lot was noted. Mr. Hayes and Ms. Soucy noted that sound from the picnic table area carries down the street in the neighborhood. Maintenance of landscaping plantings is also an issue. Ms. Hogan mentioned the possibility of utilizing rain barrels or runoff water from the roof and parking lot for watering plants. Non -edible plants would allow for flexibility with water quality. The possibility of pumping water from a buried tank on the library grounds was discussed, but more information is needed from the Town Engineering Department. On the site analysis drawing, it was clarified that blue squares represent seating in the form of an existing picnic table and stone benches. Precedent images featuring stone amphitheaters were revisited. However, concems about providing electrical power for Page 1 2 musical events were raised, especially given the downhill slope of the Library lawn area. The possibility of using existing utility poles was mentioned to avoid cutting underground. The importance of providing shade and preserving trees was also discussed, especially due to dry areas of grass. It may take many years for younger trees to provide ample shade and purchasing new mature trees could be expensive. However, transplanting existing mature trees could help provide shade in new areas. It has been seven years since the 2016 library renovations focusing mainly on the interior space were completed. There is now more time and monetary resources to devote to exploring the establishment of a more welcoming and useful outdoor space at the library. Since the completion of the renovations and adjustments made to the parking lot, the grade on the School Street hill and walkway seems steeper. Ms. Soucy noted that it is difficult to maneuver baby carriages up the stairs on this walkway. The only handicapped access to the main entrance is around the curbed driveway on the Deering Street side of the building. The recording of this meeting and the accompanying presentation will be available for sharing with other neighbors. Feedback from this meeting will be incorporated into future design concepts and additional comments and suggestions for improving the space are welcome. A public survey will be developed and distributed to neighbors and residents in the coming weeks. III. Adjournment 7:47 P.M. Motion: To Adjoum (PAyaysky / Soucy) Vote: Approved 5-0 Respectfully Submitted, Genady Pi"vsky, Chair Page 1 3 Shc I n I i3V ONH3V3d £ZOZ'6 JagwaAON uoissaS 6uiva}sij pooyo946iaN RpnjS s}uawanojdwj adeospuel a`dmn DIl8nd ONIa`d3d Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session AGENDA I. Project Team Introduction 2. Project Overview 3. Site Analysis 4. Precedent Images 5. Listening & Discussion Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session PROJECT TEAM INTRODUCTION TOWN OF READING Amy Lannon Board of Library Trustees Ben Cares Economic Development Director Cheafe Dubois Board of Library Trustees Library Landscape Committee Andrea Hogan Library Landscape Committee ACTPYTAS Stephen Crisafufli, RLA Project Manager Desiree Zicko Library Landscape Committee Fidel Maflez Town Manager Joe Huggins Director of Facilities Kevin Cabuzzi Assitant Director of Facilities Ryan Percival Town Engineer Meghon Donahoe Landscape Designer PROJECT OVERVIEW The Reading Public Library has engaged with Activitas for the development of a feasibility and design concept alternatives study for the revitalization of the library's outdoor spaces. Elements to be considered include the following: I. Programming Opportunities 2. Neighborhood Connections 3. Universal Accessibility 4. Signage 5. Lighting 6. Review of Existing Park Vegetation TODAY'S OBJECTIVE Gain input for the community's vision and core values for the space and its connection to the surrounding neighborhoods. Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session SUPPORTING READING PUBLIC LIBRARY'S CORE MISSION "The Reading Public library Is a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community." CORE VALUES VISION • Education "Evolving together to strengthen • Equity communication, equity, • Accountability collaboration, and learning." • Access READING PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LANDSCAPE VISION Engage with the community and stakeholders: • Meet with BOLT and the Library Staff • Guide public survey(s) Conceptualize outdoor environment: • Improve for learning activities and aesthetics PLAN OF SERVICE "Every five years the Library goes through a strategic planning process that culminates in a long-term 'Plan of Service' filed with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners." Guide future development plans: • Raise funding for the effort • Work with landscape architectural firms ACTIVITAS Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session READING PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LANDSCAPE CONCEPTS Dedicated outdoor space for learning and engagement: • Educational Events • Nature Lessons • Plants and Gardening • Outdoor Story -time HIGHLIGHTS Landscaping and Irrigation: • Climate -friendly and Educational Landscape • Bird and Pollinators • Native Plantings • Sustainable • Access to water • Easy care / maintenance Handicap Access per Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): • Sidewalk/Walkways • Ramps Space for small groups: • Study Sessions Q U a .y _� Q N SITE ANALYSIS I READING PUBLIC LIBRARY \,w _ Exiff gP tleshlon Qrcolalion' io., / ve,m' pD o OR 00': st:' Q- LU _ �oo'aao 00 �o Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session Precedent Images I Amphitheater ACT I V 1 TAS Reading Public Library Landscape Improvements Study I Neighborhood Listening Session Precedent Images I Amphitheater