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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-18 Master Plan Advisory Commitee MinutesTOWN OF READING 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 FT.. ' Phone: 781-942-9012 1 : 781-942-9071 Ismail: creilly@ci.reading .ma.Lis Y -gr COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT u w ' Master Plan Advisory Committee March 18, 2003 Meeting Minutes Chris Reilly provided introductory remarks and went over the Master Plan status, including content, state requirements and procedural issues. He discussed the Scope of Services with the consultant, 1VIAPC, and reviewed the notes from the meeting on February 12 with Heidi Samolser and Marc Racicot from MAPC. He reviewed the Visioning Session flyer and the agenda for the scheduled meetings. 'Fhe immediate schedule was discussed and the April 9 Visioning Session was described. CR outlined the proposed agenda, as prepared by MAPC, and the outreach needed before the session. Each Committee mernber introduced themselves and explained why they were getting involved. Neil Simith, CPDC, discussed his recollections of Reading over the years and the importance of maintaining Reading's character and school system. He feels that growth should be managed and development curtailed so that open space and natural resources can be maintained. He is particularly concerned about the impacts of large developments in Reading and whether their costs are worth unachievable goals (e.g. comprehensive permits). George Katsoufis, Citizen, tallied about his background and experience in urban environments such as Athens and his interest in managing the urban character of Reading, given its proximity to Boston. He is interested uz effectively' managing the inevitable growth Reading will experience and is concerned about how this growth affects the school system. Will Finch, Conservation Coirumission, is interested in open space, natural preservation, funding for environmental issues and utilizing the Community Preservation Act. Steve McLaughlin, Citizen, has a background in civil engineering and is interested in transportation issues and how to effectively manage growth. He would like to explore the use of efficient systems to that end and suggested Brookline as a model. G-wwd on 03/26/013:09 I'M C\.\4y Documents\CD Pl;m\~4Pi\C\31Smpacmeetin fi.doc TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Pete Smargon, Chamber of Commerce, has experience with empowerment zones and would like to explore their potential in Reading. He has interest in utilizing grants and outside models or resources to achieve local planning objectives, particularly as they relate to the downtown and a possible Business Improvement District. Jonathon Barnes, CPDC Chairman, would like to manage growth while balancing the many, often diverging needs of Reading. He is interested in pursuing a collaborative process that achieves consensus on as many issues as possible. He sees the Master Plan as an effective blueprint for the future of Reading and identified public outreach as a crucial element in the outcome. Susan Dilnetteo, Citizen, is a parent with school aged children who in interested in how the Master Plan can affect public education in Reading. She has experience with the CPDC and realizes the importance of balancing often conflicting interests while trying to achieve consensus. She is also interested in promoting economic development in our downtown. Janet Allen, Realtor, is interested in growth management and econommic development. She sees traffic as a major issue in relation to the scope of the Master Plan and seeks to maintain the integrity and character of Reading while effectively managing the inevitable growth that will ensue. Housing affordability will also be a challenge. Dick Howard, CPDC, has a background in civil engineering and is interested in affordable housing issues in Reading. He would also like to see balanced, managed growth, particularly in economic development. He seeks a consensus on responsible and beneficial development while attending to the concerns of abutters and constituencies who are impacted. Tim Kelley, Reading Housing Authority Board, is interested in housing issues, particularly affordable housing. He also sees open space and the balance between other priorities such as affordable housing as important issues. The discussion was opened up to general interests and concerns and how they relate to the Master Plan process. CR explained that the Master Plan could be a powerful tool that was legally defensible in enforcing the goals and objectives as specified in the approved plan. There was general discussion about whether the Committee had latitude in the process and whether other issues not currently identified within the Scope could be included in the Master Plan. CR explained that all issues of interest were on the table and the Committee, had discretion in what could be included in the process so long as state requirements for an approved plan were included, consisting of Transportation, Open Space, Housing and Economic Development elements as contained in the consultant Scope of Services. This was the primary role of the consultant, but the information they provide does not limit the cominittee from using other sources of information in their analysis and the final product. January 20, 2005 - 2 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Areas of concern were discussed, such as the south Main Street area. Dick Howard reviewed the CPDC's role in reviewing economic development projects and balancing the needs of conunercial interests with residential concerns. Joanthon Barnes discussed the unintended affects of well-intentioned zoning, such as the strip parking that results from trying to buffer residential areas along the Business A district on Main Street from commercial activities. The Master Plan process was discussed as a rationale for reviewing options in these areas that might achieve a more desirable outcome for businesses and residents alike. Chris Reilly indicated that Town resources, or lack thereof, did not permit him to distribute copies of all relevant materials regarding the Master Plan, but he would circulate material in his office to anyone that was interested. The Committee discussed reviewing past documents such as the 1991 Master Plan to review how the new Master Plan would effect areas that the Committee might not want to supercede. The meeting adjourned. January 20, 2005 - 3-