2008-03-24-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 24, 2008 options to Town Meeting. Ms. Manz said the Board needs to state strongly that its intention is to work on this next year and it will be looking for some level of additional development. Mr. Hornig said the community wants to look at commercial development and the Board can do it over the next few years while bringing something to Town Meeting 2009. Mr. Zurlo thought understanding the process in some level of detail would be important to share with Town Meeting. Mr. Canale said that TAC had been asked for an opinion and had sent a response that outlines a process. It is important to figure out a goal and then how to get there. Mr. Hornig said technical studies, community outreach, draft and analysis will be needed. He would rather not revisit the master plan first. Mr. Canale asked what are we trying to get out of it? Mr. Zurlo said the Economical Development Task Force (EDTF) said there will be a three million dollar shortfall. Mr. Hornig said tax revenue was not his goal. He is looking at commercial zoning and what we want for zoning such as performance-based, traffic mitigation, etc. as well as reexamining issues such as sustainability, better site design and traffic control. Ms. Manz said Town Meeting is interested in more revenue. Mr. Hornig is willing to work to bring something actionable to Town Meeting 2009. Mr. Canale said the package of commercial development changes should include traffic and parking. Mr. Hornig the issues were different in different zones; parking, traffic, setbacks, and lighting in CM (Hartwell/Maguire area). Article 54, Mixed Uses in the CM District: Mr. Zurlo said the arguments are the same as for Article 53. Mr. Hornig sensed that there were three no votes for three different reasons. Mr. Zurlo opposed it because of possible effects on business in the center; Ms Manz was concerned about the potential for strip malls; Mr. Canale said it could wait a year. Article 55, CRO District Floor Area Ratio: “SP” rather than “YES” for light manufacturing. Planning Board will move to amend, so that line 16.11 would only list light manufacturing as an accessory use without an additional definition and it would be by special permit. Article 56, Traffic Bylaw: Mr. Hornig suggested that a compromise position might be to leave the bylaw exactly as is, except change the level of service from E to D and F to E. Mr. Canale asked if anyone had said they couldn’t develop, or had not developed, because of this? Ms. Manz said she did not believe so.