1982-11-02-CRC-min.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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- 2 - the houses to insure that the visual barrier is maintained or improved as a result of the project The replacement of random deciduous trees with a planned conniferous planting would probably improve the visual barrier - The retaining wall in the full scale plan would be placed approximately seven (7) feet from the property line and plantings would be offered at cost so that abutters could make additional improvements to the barrier - The installation of lighting is expected to have the usual impact of the placement of street lights - Privately owned sheds presently standing on Town land would have to be moved - A popular foot path and an old bike route would probably be affected, perhaps to the pleasure of the immediate abutters and the displeasure of the neighborhood Thepath at "Old Grant Street" would not be impacted - The history of this general area is complex, with disputes regarding what is Town land and what is privately owned However, it is clear that only Town owned land would be involved in both plans presented here - Implementation could be phased over two years if necessary The C.R C voted unanimously to advise the Selectmen to take the full scale plan to the Town Meeting The question of funding this project was deferred until a specific account- ing could be provided However, it was the sense of the committee that the seek- ing of appropriation outside of parking funds should be avoided if at all possible A subcommittee of the C R C , consisting of Chairman Battin, Mr Trani and Mr Sacco was formed to join the Staff in meeting with the abutters It was agreed also that business abutters should be apprised of the plan (2)b Policy Six Discussion of the attached Policy 6 did not result in a vote Chairman Battin was of the very strong opinion that something based on Policy 6 would be politically necessary for Town Meeting approval of the Meriam Street lot improve- ment She suggested that it be presented as a complete package in which the lot improvement could be sought first and, if its approval was not gained, then the proposal of a policy based on Policy 6 would be withdrawn. It was generally agreed that the Policy in its present form is inadequate, and that tightening of its language is imperative Some particular areas of con- cern - Provision must be made for the intentional replacement of existing square foot- age not being penalized - Definition of "revenue-producing floor area" is needed - Specification of a mechanism for adjusting the amountof the dollar contribution is needed Mr Sacco pointed out that without a sense of how much additional center area development is physically possible and economically practical, it is impos- sible to evaluate the need for, and impact ofy this policy The allowance for a dollar contribution as an alternative to on-site pro- vision of parking space was seen as both a strength and a weakness of the Policy It was pointed out by Mr Patterson that there are many towns in the area which have trapped themselves into positions of stifling needed development with impos- sible requirements to provide on-site parking On the other hand, noted Mr Soren- sen, the dollar contribution alternative can create the illusion that the parking problem is being addressed when in fact, it is not