2008-07-30-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of July 30, 2008 regarding the Wood Street character. He felt that Hartwell Avenue design could not be left to the landowners as it will not happen and traffic will be pushed onto other streets. He said that speed is an issue, particularly on the straight section of Wood Street between Woodpark Circle and Patterson Road; that area could use a speed table. Not only is there no signal on Bedford Street, there isn’t even a crosswalk. He was disappointed to hear talk of a ten to eleven percent increase in traffic on Wood Street being acceptable. Mr. Canale reported that the HATS towns have asked for money from the MPO to study the 4-225 corridor and those study funds may be available by November of 2009. Permitted Uses in Hartwell Avenue Area – Mr. Hornig began the discussion by pointing out that in spite of the discussion at Town Meeting, restaurants are already an allowed use in the CM district. He asked Board members to give their thoughts on any changes they would like to see in allowed uses. Ms. Manz thought restaurants, convenience stores and health clubs would be appropriate. Mr. Zurlo saw Hartwell Avenue as an opportunity to strengthen the Center. Minimally, any additional uses allowed should be distinct from what is in the Center, and not be stores that need volume to support them. He would look for a redefinition of accessory uses and allow some lunch places, but not large enough to compete with the Center services. Mr. Canale said ditto. He would look more towards goals of what he would like to see. He suggested looking at what was currently allowed as some thing like a medical clinic with high parking demand would not necessarily be appropriate but would be grandfathered. He was looking for uses with a higher value per square foot that generate less auto traffic. Mr. Hornig said he had a few principles for determining appropriate uses. First, the CM zone is the only zone that permits industrial uses and the things that are unique to the CM should stay. Since some of these uses are not compatible with residential uses he might consider residential in the CRO but not the CM. As to limiting convenience retail in order to protect the Center, the CM zone already allows restaurants and he saw no issue with allowing things such as dry cleaning, and the sale of flowers and greeting cards as these are things that one would not make a trip to the Center for. Ms. Manz agreed that she did not see these things as threats to uses in the Center, at the same time she saw no point in duplicating the Center but would allow things such as a pharmacy or a sub shop. She felt people would continue to go to the Center restaurants for special occasions as they do now. She had no interest in allowing residential in the CM zone.