HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-18 Master Plan Advisory Commitee MinutesMeeting Minutes
October 18, 2004 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting
aster Plan Advisory- Committee
October 18. 2004 Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Geopac K.atsoufis, Janet Allen, Peter Smargon, Steven McLaughlin
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Howard, Jonathon Barnes, Neil Sullivan, John Sasso
Staff: Chris Reilly c
The Meeting opened at 7:30 PM.
Agenda & Discussion can
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(1) Housing Section - Part I:
George Katsoufis presented Part I of the draft Housing section. This part contained items
(housing data and analysis) mostly taken from the recent community development (CD)
plan. Items not included from the housing section of the CD plan will potentially be
included in the introduction section of the new Master Plan or in other sections of the
Master Plan (depending on applicability).
(2) Housing Section - Part II:
The second part of the Housing section essentially represented a first cut at goals,
objectives and specific recommendations. An important early question was weather or
not these areas fully captured all of the concepts needed (the prior Master Plan Housing
section including a great deal of information on Neighborhoods and Open Space). While
the general feeling is that as written the goals were too narrow, the consensus was to
adjust the goals and objectives (adding information directly) rather than trying to broaden
the scope of the section itself.
The resultls of the discussion were agreement- on five major goals and definition of many
of the associated objectives for each. The goals and objectives are as follows (thanks to
George for- his inputs and note taking here):
(1) Establish a strong public commitment to housing and develop proactive housing
policies
a. Strengthen existing housing non-profits in order to ensure potential
programs and funding strategies in Reading
b. To improve on housing goals, pursue an increase in Town involvement
and investigate additional funding vehicles
c. Communicate Housing Goals to residents
(2) Increase Affordable Housing Units
a. Encourage rehabilitation and reconstruction of existing buildings for low
and moderate-income multi-family housing
Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2004 Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting
b. Encourage new developments consistent with Reading's character and
identity and meeting state mandated affordable housing goals
(3) Promote Diversity in Housing types and households
a. Objectives to be Defined
(4) Promote Neighborhood Preservation
a. Establish the fundamental elements of Reading neighborhoods against
which impacts of future developments need to be weighed
b. Associate historic preservation with Reading's character as well as with
the single-family majority of housing stock. Promote them as
fundamental constituents of the New England village character.
c. Establish general planning guidelines for new developments
(5) Address Mixed Zoning
a. Introduce mixed-use zoning in the Downtown and the Depot area.
b. Expand the accessory use options to allow for home occupations.
Actions
(a) Specific Comments to George and Dick on this section by November 2, 2004
(b) Updated Housing Section to be presented to MPAC on November 9, 2004
Scheduling:
Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2004, 7:30pm
Place: Town Hall Conference Room
Topic: Housing (Full Agenda)
The meeting was adjourned.
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