HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-29-BLUPC-min
MINUTES
Busa Land Use Proposal Committee
July 29, 2010
Meeting called to order at 7:02 PM.
Missing: Ric Fulop
Present: Ginna Johnson
Pam Shadley
David Horton
Al Zabin
Debbie Strod
Bill Dailey
Hank Manz
Carl Valente
Citizens Present: Kristen Reed, Igor Tsvetkova, Bella Tsvetkova, Justine Selsiny, Lisa Berland,
John Bartenstein
1.Congratulations from all to Ric Fulop and his wife welcoming a new baby into their family.
Debbie is in charge of finding an appropriate card and circulating it.
2.Minutes for the next meeting will be taken by Debbie Strod with all members taking their
turn thereafter.
3.David laid out how public comment during regular committee meetings will work. There
will be public comment at the start of the meeting. What is brought up during public
comment will not necessarily be discussed during the course of that meeting.
4.Discussion over how to decide what to put on land.
Ginna Johnson stressed how important a survey will be given the various land features such
as the probable 200 foot buffer in the L-shaped parcel. Felt bid on the table a bit high given
that there are, for instance, few significant trees on the parcel. She believes a competitive bid
would result in a lower cost.
Pam Shadley asked if the GIS maps are good enough for planning purposes given the land
features such as the riverfront area. She felt we might want to field flag the area for
accuracy.
There is concern, however, that a detailed survey might well overwhelm the available budget.
Al Zabin asked if the wetland overlay maps might not be good enough.
General discussion of how specific a plan was desired from the committee merging with a
discussion of why more specific information was needed.
Bill Dailey’s feeling is that the proposals may well be sophisticated, but that we don’t yet
have enough information about what will be proposed to be able to specify what we need
from a detailed survey. He counseled that we listen first, then ask for the detailed survey.
Wrapup of discussion:
In favor of a detailed survey: 4 (Debbie, Ginna, Pam, David)
Willing to go with a less detailed survey: 2 (Al, Bill)
Decision was to ask Carl to solicit competitive bids in the hope of finding a much better
price than is currently on the table.
5.Identification of things needed from the Town:
Land use documents/Master Plans Hank will ask Planning, CPC, Recreation, Housing,
Selectmen’s Office for possible documents
Any past proposals
Web Site planning Hank will talk to Dorinda Goodman for starters
Debbie will find others to talk to about ways to
effect and improve communication.
Contact point Existing plan to use personal e-mails for
contact information may be replaced with another
plan. Hank will check on status of new plan.
6.How will the committee solicit proposals
Al: Ask for concept proposals.
Ginna Not only ask for “hopes and dreams” but also “fears”
Pam Large public meeting (probably facilitated) to start the whole process—general
agreement on this point.
Bill Be sure to solicit major players such as Conservation, Recreation, Housing as well
as other players
Al Two sessions. #1: Open Forum. #2: Advocacy Groups.
Out of this discussion came the following conclusions:
Multiple public meetings will be needed
First Meeting: Open Session just to solicit general ideas from those who
may not yet have a full proposal.
Second Meeting: Fully formed groups such as Recreation, Housing, etc.
These groups should also attend the first meeting to get a
flavor of what the wider community is thinking.
Third Meeting: Proposals outside the Fully Formed groups from Second
Meeting.
Fourth Meeting: Possible overflow meeting if Third Meeting does not give
groups enough time.
General Layout for the First Meeting
Five minutes per presenter max—this may be too much
o
Is the e-gov list appropriate for notification?
o
Cary Hall is probably an appropriate venue give projected audience
o
size
LexMedia should be invited to record the sessions
o
Include Arlington at least in Second Meeting
o
The term “Advocacy Group” was used during the meeting to mean established or fully-
o
formed groups, but a better term is needed. All groups who come forward with proposals
will be advocates for their plan and at least some of the committee expect some very detailed
proposals from groups which may not even have existed before the purchase of the Busa
Farm property. For the purposes of these minutes, the phrase “Fully Formed Groups” has
been used, with the understanding that there is a better term out there.
7.Projected Date for Recommendation: January 15, 2011
Some felt this date was aggressive and probably unattainable, but all felt that a sense of
urgency should be maintained.
8.Future Meetings
Next Meeting: August 26, 2010
Other Meetings: First Meeting: September 15, 2010
Committee Mtg: September 29, 2010
Second Meeting: October 7, 2010
Committee Meeting: October 21, 2010
Third Meeting: November 4, 2010
Committee Mtg: November 18, 2010
9.What is the cost of doing nothing?
Should we continue lease beyond growing season? Kick this one back to the town.
But the general consensus is to allow an extended lease.
10.Agenda items for next meeting:
Develop design and program criteria
Land use
Implementation cost
Site plan distribution
Maintenance cost
General impact on environment
Financial gain
Develop general format for public meetings.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.