HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-22 Master Plan Advisory Commitee MinutesTOWN OF READING
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683
Phc nc: 781-942-9012
Fax: 781-942-9071
Email: crci11v ct ci.reading.ma.us
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Master Plan Advisory Committee
April 22, 2003 Meeting Minutes
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Members Present:
Dick Howard (RH), Susan DeMatteo (SD), Janet Allen GA), Pete Smargon (PS), George
Katsoufis (GK), Jonathon Barnes GB), Neil Sullivan (NS), Steve McGlaughlin (SINI), Jack
Russell OR)., Will Finch (WF).
Staff: Chris Reilly (CR), Heidi Samokar (HS)
The meeting opened at 7:30 PM.
Visioning Session Process
Heidi Samokar, (MAPC) went over the results of the Visioning Session and the Committee
discussed its assessment of the process. Committee cominents included:
JA:
The Visioning Session went well, despite the low turnout.
RH:
It went well and was very productive despite the limited attendance. Participants were
knowledgeable.
PS:
The session was well run and produced a lot of qualitative information.
SD:
The meeting went well, although she was surprised by bow-hunting issue.
GK:
The format was very open and many issues were covered, although some people had a
specific agenda.
Voting allowed clarification; the process worked well.
Visioning Session results-Draft Vision Statement
HS went over a matrix MAPC prepared of the Visioning Session results.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
On several topics Town-wide weakness and opportunities coincided.
Outcomes and top vote-getters were reviewed. ,
Downtown was mentioned in both weaknesses and opportunities
HS discussed how the results were translated into draft vision statement
The intent of the statement is to establish what Reading will be in ten years.
T he statement will be revisited after subsequent forums.
The MPAC will be refining goals and the Vision Statement will evolve.
HS requested feedback on the draft Vision Statement to establish if anything was missed.
Continents /Edits included:
1,t paragraph:
Historic homes should be elaborated on.
Scenic Ways should be included.
2°d
paragraph (Open Space):
"expanding the Town Common and parks"
"natural resources, open space AND recreation"
water supply: "and backups, e.g. MWRA"
31d paragraph (Housing):
Edits="townhouses and multi-family"
JB: not just production of housing variety, but integration of such housing with other types
Retain units "in perpetuity"
Diversity is not emphasized
4th paragraph (Econoinic Development):
RH: "South Main Street" should be added
"Multi-story" parking should be mentioned
economic development
"Reading will be improved to increase the commercial and industrial tax base...
Areas other than the downtown should be included, such as South Main
5t1' paragraph:
JR: "Downtown Streetscape" improvements
design and circulation enhancements)
should be included (i.e. pedestrian-friendly
7d, paragraph:
Utility wires should be buried where practical
Sri, paragraph
The role of local and state government should be clarified
Natural Resources Forum:
HS went over the purpose of the forum:
January 20, 2005
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
It will be map-based.
Areas of environmental concern will be targeted.
Natural resource goals will be identified-what was missed by the maps?
The Forum will pick areas for protection from further development, etc.
Targeted invites:
Land Trust
Cemetery Committee
Ipswich River Watershed Association
River Stream Tearn
Leo Kenney
Scheduling:
Next inieeting on June 2.
The meeting was adjourned.
January 20, 2005
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