HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-16 Business Park Advisory Committee MinutesBusiness Park Task Force Meeting
September 16, 1997
The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Jim Laurella from CDM, Steve Thomas from VHB, Paul
Ozerowski from Hillian Auldrige, Scott Weiss from VHB, Ann Zeerowski from H & A, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Selectman Dan Ensminger, FinCom member Richard
McDonald, Assessor Bob Nordstrand, ZBA member John Coote.
The group reviewed the Due Diligence Report. There was a great deal of discussion on the
MEPA strategy - that we should go to them with a generic, simple, notice of project change. We
will make the argument that the Rivers Protection Act does not apply. It was noted that there is a
habitat issue - the mystic valley anthropoid. Jonathan Edwards will develop a flow chart of the
PUD process.
The report will be organized so that there is a summary that spells out the advantages to the site,
a map in the traffic section; a list of the possible financial incentives including PWED, the
landfill closure issues will be summarized with a fuller appendix to the back which will be
cleaned up from the current draft; master plan alternatives will be highlighted; we will refer to I-
95 - Route 128, and Walkers Brook Drive spelling will be corrected; the Town Manager will
develop a schedule which will have a MEPA meeting on or about October 1, 1997, a business
office meeting on or about October 1, 1997, a redraft for distribution on October 7 and
discussion on October 15; securing financial consulting and appraiser services by October 15; a
public meeting between November 1 and November 15; and issuance of the RFP by December 1.
The size of development that we will use for MEPA purposes is 600,000 square feet, under the
PUD zoning. The positive aspects of the site that will be emphasized are tax rate, expedited
permitting, location, etc.
The Town will provide a hydrant test at the site, and will also provide information on tax rate for
Reading and other communities for commercial development..
On motion by MacDonald seconded by Nordstrand the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
submitted,
S