Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-07 Master Plan Advisory Commitee MinutesMeeting Minutes March 7, 2005 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting Date: March 7, 2005 Time: 7:30 pm Place: Town Hall Conference Room Attendees: George Katsoufis, Jonathan Barnes, Neil Sullivan, John Sasso, Tim Kelley, Chris Reilly, Janet Allen, Jack Russell, Peter Smargon, Will Finch, Roberta Sullivan, Virginia Adams Agenda & Discussion (1) Natural and Cultural Resources The meeting focused on reviewing this chapter, specifically to prioritize and select the top goals and objectives. As part of this process the team began to develop a list of criteria against which we would compare our selections and prioritizations. We first identified five major concepts, those being the following: 1) Single family character of neighborhoods 2) Vital downtown 3) Managed growth 4) Protect natural resources 5) Recognize Regional Issues Although these are important concepts, we also realized that what we should be using as a sanity check is the vision developed in the original CD plan (the result of the town visioning sessions). A copy of that "vision" can be found attached to these minutes for reference purposes. After completing this effort, we were able to select/prioritize the following four goals/objectives from the Natural and Cultural resources section: 1A, 2B, 3A, and 7A. (2) Next Steps We realized that while it was important to perform this exercise, the group still feels that the individual chapters, specifically the Background and Analysis sections, require more attention. Therefore, the team agreed that the priority for next meeting is to ensure each member takes the time to review those sections for all the remaining chapters. For next meeting, the focus will be on finishing Natural and Cultural Resources, then moving on to Open Space and Recreation, Economic Development, Housing, Transportation, Services and Facilities, and finally Character and Identity. Of course we don't expect to get through all of these at the next meeting. Actions (a) Send out the most recent versions of each section to the committee for review - John Sasso (b) Update the Natural and Cultural Resources section to incorporate comments and prioritization as agreed upon at meeting (c) Complete draft of Services and Facilities Chapter - Dick Howard and John Sasso (d) Begin to put together draft of entire plan as it stands today in one document - Chris Reilly Meeting Minutes March 7, 2005 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting Next Meeting Monday, March 21St Topic: Review of Chapters Background and Analysis sections and then perform initial prioritization for the goals/objective of that chapter in the following order: Natural and Cultural Resources Open Space and Recreation Economic Development Housing Transportation Services and Facilities Character and Identity Meeting Minutes March 7, 2005 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting VISION Reading's excellent school system, residential neighborhoods, proximity to Boston, small-town feel, town services, scenic ways and abundant open space will continue to create a strong sense of pride in its residents and businesses. This sense of pride, which results in residents' willingness to serve as volunteers and take leadership roles, contributes to Reading's strong sense of community. Reading will retain and enhance its rich stock of natural resources, open space, and recreation. The town will build upon its existing green spaces by improving or creating path systems and maintaining and expanding the Town Common and parks. The town will expand its greenery to the streets with street trees. Reading will continue to protect its critical water supply through open space protection and exploring options for a back-up supply. Reading residents will be' aware of the town's numerous parks and forests and access to them will be convenient. Reading will provide a variety of housing types for a diverse population. Such housing will integrate well with existing neighborhoods. Elderly, renters, first-time homebuyers, empty- nesters, and others, will be able to find housing to match their needs. Providing these housing types, including affordable housing, will be accomplished in part by improving the town's regulations to more easily allow certain types of housing, such as townhouses, multi-families and accessory apartments. The town's historic housing will be re-used and renovated, with incentives offered to owners to do so. The town will work to retain units as affordable through deed restrictions in perpetuity. Reading will expand and enhance its infrastructure to support housing, based on feasibility and the extent that resources are available. Potential traffic impacts that can accompany new housing will be reduced by allowing mixed uses and by locating housing in areas convenient to existing or future public transit. A Housing Committee will work to accomplish these goals. The Town will convey a business-friendly atmosphere, with streamlined permitting for desirable types of uses. The public will be well-educated regarding the benefits of economic development and participate in determining the best types of businesses for Reading. The result will be an increased commercial and industrial tax base. Downtown Reading, including South Main Street, will be improved to increase the town's commercial tax base, to re-instill pride, and to ensure that the downtown is a vibrant, aesthetic center that provides services to residents and meets their retail needs. The Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project will be implemented. The improvements will include a pedestrian-friendly design and circulation enhancements, further attracting businesses, including higher end retail and restaurants. The needs of pedestrian and car access to the downtown will be balanced by improving sidewalks and streetscapes, creating convenient parking locations including multi-level parking garages, encouraging infill development along transit routes, and exploring the potential for shuttle bus service. Meeting Minutes March 7, 2005 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting Reading will continue to be well-served by the region's roadway network and public transportation. The town will continue to take advantage of these assets by improving intra-local bus/shuttle services to downtown and to new developments within Reading and neighboring towns. Design will be an integral part of roadway improvements. Utility wires will be buried where practical and street trees will be planted. Transportation improvements will enhance, not detract from, the town's historic features, including the Town Common. The state will respect Reading's character when undertaking roadway projects. Pedestrians and bicyclists will feel safe in Reading and walking and bicycling will be encouraged as viable modes of transportation. Better connections between neighborhoods, downtown, schools, and new developments will exist due to sidewalk improvements, the creation of pathways and clear signage. Reading's vision will be implemented with the help of its residents, business owners, land owners, and town officials. In addition, the town will work with its neighbors on those issues that are regional in nature, such as water supply and transportation.