HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-04 Economic Development Committee Minutes-ECEIVEo
Economic Development Committee (EDWA0 R-S
March 4, 2009 MINUTES
IM DEC- I
In Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chairman), Michele Williams, Russ Graham, George Rio, iche I eUlo,
Sharon Petersen met in the Berger Room, Town Hall at 7:30 P.M.
Members Absent: Jack Russell and Sheila Clarke
Also Present: Carol Kowalski Community Services Director/Town Planner, Abby McCabe Staff Planner
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
Zoning By-Law Amendments:
EDC reviewed the sign bylaw program timeline and checked off completed items. Town Counsel should meet with
EDC during the month of April to give legal advice and recommendations for bylaw changes. One EDC member
summarized ZBA meeting when they discussed the EDC's memo asking for sign priorities. After the Committee meets
with Town Counsel it was recommended to check in with CPDC to give an update on progress and have a work
session with CPDC then hold a public meeting with property and business owners. EDC asked if other communities
with Sign Review Boards grant variances or, exemptions or if it is the Board of Appeals. EDC reviewed the priority list
and had a couple additions but decided they were all priorities. EDC suggested adding enforcement of the existing
non-conforming signs to the work plan so that the removal can be enforced before the adoption of the amendments.
The Committee should do some analysis of signs that would become non-conforming with the new regulations before
making the proposal to Town Meeting.
Staff will provide EDC with photographs of illuminated signs at dark.
Assignments for the next meeting: Staff will work with Town Counsel to set up a time to meet with EDC to review
proposed zoning amendments.
2009 Work Program (see the work plan on EDC webpage for details)
Downtown Strategic Plan - EDC members should send downtown pictures and ideas to Michele. Meghan will send
Michele the plan from Ipswich.
Liaison Reports
Meghan and George are not able to attend the CPDC meeting on the 9th. Reading noted as Best Affordable Suburb in
BusinessWeek, a possible sign at Town Hall was discussed. Public Meeting on Monday evening with CPDC for the
proposed smart growth district, several downtown property owners are expected to attend. The CPDC submitted a
warrant article for Town Meeting proposing the reduction of the Business A zoning district setback from 50 feet to 15
feet to encourage parking in the rear or to the sides of buildings in Business A. The Main Street reconstruction
projected is scheduled to being the week of March 16t"
Other Business:
The Economic Development Activity spreadsheet updates were reviewed. SwissBakers opening at Train Depot on
Friday.
Minutes: Motion by Russell Graham to approve the minutes for January 21, 2009, seconded by Michele Williams, vote
of 3-0-0 to approve.
Motion by Russell Graham to approve the minutes for February 18, 2009 as amended, seconded by Michele Williams,
vote of 3-0-0 to approve.
Meeting Schedule
Next scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday March 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM, Berger Room in Town Hall.
On a motion duly made and seconded, the Committee voted to adjourn at 9:33 P.M. on a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Abby McCabe