2022-09-29-EDAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 29, 2022 The Economic Development Advisory Committee [EDAC] met by remote participation on Thursday, September 29th, at 8:00 a.m. at Estabrook Hall with Video Conference capabilities. This meeting was held remotely pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and subsequent orders imposing strict limitations on the number of people who may gather in one place. EDAC Members present: Rick DeAngelis (Chair), Bridger McGaw (Vice Chair), Charles Minasian, Lisa Murray, Adrienne Ortyl Liaisons and Town Staff: Sandhya Iyer (Economic Development Director), Joe Pato (Select Board), Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison), Sheila Page (Planning Department) Carol Kowalski (Asst. Town Manager). The EDAC heard a presentation from the 12-18 Hartwell Avenue development proponents, Greatland. Presenters focused on the 12 Hartwell site while the other parts of the site are a longer term development. As this is one of the first projects on the street, Greatland stressed they want to help set the pace/tone/design of the corridor. This is a 300,000 sqft building with garage behind it with a covered walkway at grade connecting them. They are planning for LAB in this building with retail at grade on the first floor lobby area – pending a market that can support it. Mr. McGaw noted the parallel parking in front while necessary for the retail success would also need the Town to have a larger POV on parking on the street. Sheila Page and Ross Morrow acknowledged that parallel parking and/or parking for retail activation is critical to longer term corridor design, and this property specifically, success. The Chair acknowledged the 14 spots or more would be needed. The Chair acknowledged that kickstarting Hartwell redevelopment has been a long time in coming and finding an expeditious way to support the project is important to the Town. The Greatland team presented the visuals of the proposed building and laid out plan for 98% electric building. Their goal is targeting LEED Silver, but could achieve Gold. 1050 Waltham Street followed the same project approach. We discussed use of the garage for alternative uses on the top floor to support the retail spaces with other amenities in addition to solar capacity.