HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-03 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC) RECEIVED
June 3, 2009 MINUTES TOWN CLERK
READING, t1ASS
'In Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chairman), Sheila Clarke (Vice Chair), Michele 1 Michelle Ferullo,
Kara Fratto, Russ Graham, George Rio, and Jack Russell met in the Berger Room, Tow II C7:t01P.A. 10: 31
Members Absent: Sharon Petersen Also Present: Community Services Director/Town Planner Carol Kowalski and
Staff Planner Abby McCabe
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM.
Next Steps for Signage By-Law Amendments:
The committee continued to discuss the wording of sign definition and reviewed the sign definitions from Concord,
Lexington and Raynham. The committee liked Lexington's sign definition the best, and felt if we could sprinkle in a bit
of the other two towns that we would create the best definition, which can be easily understood while also allowing for
artwork. The committee also discussed the proposed business flag regulations and decided to continue the research
and discussion to the next meeting. The Town Planner had given the chair Burlington, VT design guidelines, they
were discussed at the meeting, and will be provided to all members for review. One member asked if the sign design
guidelines should be completed before Town Meeting. Staff thought it would be difficult to have them in their final form
given the short amount of time but that we should have a draft ready. The zoning amendment time line will be
reviewed in more detail at the next committee meeting. The Town Planner recommends having a businesses meeting
soon to get feedback on proposed changes and also talk to at least 3 sign vendors before presenting the changes to
the CPDC. Portable sandwich board / A frame signs were discussed in detail by the committee. The Town Planner
suggested that the Board of Selectmen or public works department could regulate portable A-frame sign on public
property which is done in many other communities. Ms. Kowalski also mentioned using the Main Street Improvement
project landscaping plans to identify areas where there is enough room on sidewalks to allow A-frame signs while also
complying with the American for Disability Act sidewalk standards and will bring this information back to the committee.
Staff reported that the most common sign violations are: signs without a permit, window sign violations, and defunct
signs for businesses that have closed. Allowing A-frame signs by permit only on a temporary basis would be very
difficult to regulate because temporary signage & signage without permits are already the most common sign violation.
Assignments: Review signage amendment timeline and continue to consider other signage changes that have not yet
been discussed. Staff will make copies of the landscaping plans for the Main Street Improvement project.
Work Plan (See Work Plan for complete details):
The farm stand will begin on July 15 . During the last Fall Street Faire meeting it was learned that canopies are
allowed without a permit so Mrs. Ferullo no longer has that concern on her "to dos." The farmer is in the process of
submitting health permits. The Fall Street Faire is going smoothly so far and Reading Co-op has agreed to share the
parking lot for handicap access for the event and is considering sponsoring the event as well. The committee agreed to
meet with the BoS for the annual report sometime in the fall after the Street Faire.
Assignments: Members should send prospective business ideas to Michelle Ferullo. The Town Planner summarized
the DHCD workshop attended the previous week about Downtown Housing & Economic Development. The
subcommittee for the Downtown Smart Growth 40R overlay district should begin strategizing on efforts to support the
CPDC proposal.
Economic Development Activity:
A Development Review Team meeting was held this week with staff for the proposed butcher shop on Haven Street
and is on the June 8`h CPDC agenda. Bear Rock Cafe is not closing at this time.
Alleyway Update:
John Coles is almost done with the mural and has also talked to the owner of the butcher shop about possibly painting
a mural at a later date.
Other Business:
The banner displaying the Business Week "Best Affordable Suburb" award is underway.
Meeting Schedule
Next scheduled meeting is June 17, 2009 at Town Hall in the Berger Room.
On a motion duly made by Michele Williams and seconded by Sheila Clarke, the Committee voted to adjourn
;at 10:12 P.M. on a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Abby McCabe