HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-27 Master Plan Advisory Commitee Minutesr1o
TOWN OF READING
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683
,
_
Phone: 781-942-9012
C~
G-11 C--
Fax: 781-942-9071
Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us
)
r
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
c~
C/)
z,
Master Plan Advisory Committee
Au ust 27, 2003 Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dick Howard (RH), Susan DeMatteo (SD), Janet Allen GA), Pete Smargon (PS), George
Katsoufis (GIL), Jonathon Barnes GB), Neil Sullivan (NS), Steve McGlaughhn (SM), Jack
Russell Glk)., Will Finch (\X/F-), Tun Kelley (TK), Monette Verrier W.
Staff: Heidi Samokar, MAPC(HS); Mark Hunsberger, MAPC NH); Chris Reilly (CR)
The meeting opened at 7:30 PM.
HS from 1VIAPC reviews progress to date.
CR recently gave a progress report to the BOS.
HS reviewed the results from Natural Resources Fortun and
went over priorities that were identified for areas to preserve.
Areas such as Franklin/Metucci are to be known as "Gaels Chase."
T\/IAPC and MPAC will begin to rectify at "Putting it All Together."
Targeted areas will be reviewed and options will be identified for policies.
1VIap-based options will be emphasized.
HS will ask CR for more information as needed.
HS went over the map and targeted areas for preservation.
HS talked about "smart growth" MAPC principles and the effort to coordinate E0418
efforts with regional visioning and planning activities.
MH, Economic Planner from MAPC, talked about what will be presented at the Economic
Development Forum.
The attendees will talk about larger themes within the map exercise.
Then they will focus on specific areas, e.i., downtown.
The question will be asked: "What would you like to see on the ground?"
MH will conduct a statistical review of current economic conditions in Reading and present.
The ED Forum will be hour and a half.
MI I will work with CR on data he needs, e.g., Assessors.
He has questions about the Longwood poultry parcel; the back 10 acres are open.
George Katsoufis talked about the need to incorporate regional considerations and focus on
neighborhood-based nodes of mixed-use commercial.
Dick Howard talks about how to develop "nodes."
Caved on 11/25/03 5:53 I'M
- C:A~le DocwncnaAC-U PlanAn-IPAC\827mpaemacdng.dx
TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reading characteristics:
• Property taxes-7% commercial.
* Tat rate equals commercial rate.
• Mostly small businesses; 30% local jobs
• Shifting away from manufacturing.
• Trend toward local services.
• Largest employers.
• Town professional pays more than metro average.
• Local mix is typical
• Residents of Reading doing well in terms of income.
• Workforce issues.
• Parking issues.
• Streamlining regulatory issues.
• Developing low grade retail in neighborhood centers.
Dates for ED Forum:
October 1 and 8 are out.
October 15 looked best.
Preferred location: Senior center
Invitees
• Downtown Steering committee
• Downtown businesses
• Chamber of Commerce
• Board of Assessors
• Rotary
• Realty board
• Developers
Major employers
• Dickinson
• Ted Moore/Glover Realty
• Archstone
CR will provide a 1- page bullet status on major economic projects in Town.
The meeting adjourned.
January 20, 2005
- 2-