Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 10/13/2021N_ Select Board Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 >. L r-q n Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Frank- 56IVecchi© Qark; Mr. Jess Aptowitz and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr _i� ,rarrylgCasHassistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present in meeting room 3A/B at Town FMIT 4 --n • Open the Meeting N rn Mr. Neil Rhein called the meeting to order at 6:04PM and thanked the Planning Board for having the Select Board attend their meeting for the workshop and discussion of the Masterplan. • Select Board Members to Attend the Planning Board Meeting for a Masterplan Workshop Mr. Rhein began by stating that a lot of work went into the Masterplan and it is important to get together to discuss how the Planning Board and Select Board can move the vision of the Masterplan forward and to discuss whether there are any obstacles in the way. Mr. Dumas then spoke and thanked the Planning Board for their work on the Masterplan and stated that it was important that the goals of the Select Board support the goals of the Master Plan. Mr. Dumas then noted how impressive it was to see how many of the goals from the last Masterplan were attained. He added that Town is working hard with Discover Mansfield to promote economic development and are in the process of hiring the first Economic Development Director for the Town. He also noted the importance of grants that tie to projects that are supported by the Masterplan. Mr. LaCasse then provided an update on 50 West Street the former Police Department as an option for the COA as the main function, but additional use at night or weekends for activities and serve the Town in a new way. Mr. Rhein stated its important to continue to move the ball forward and then read the top five goals as stated in the Masterplan document. Mr. Joseph Cerretani stated that he was happy to see that the Board chose to retain 50 West Street as the population of seniors is growing and expected to increase to 5,000 residents in the next few years. Mr. Cerretani then referenced the Town of Whitinsville and their community center. He stated that the center blends younger generation people in the afternoon with seniors and it was a great use of space and unique place that Mansfield should consider and recommended looking at facilities before plans are developed. The second area that he believed the Town needs to look at is to actively develop the TOD. Mr. McClanahan stated that he spoke with Mr. Dumas recently, but COVID has slowed this down. Mr. McClanahan believed a design concept has been done and Mr. Trowbridge noted that the road out to County Street would first have to be done before anything else can be done and that has not been approved as of now. Ms. Collins stated that it's a deal breaker if there is not road access, but the other piece that will contribute to the success is the design of the public outdoor space. She added that the Town needs to deliberate about the plan for that area and not wait for the private land owners to come up with their own design to see if it fits together. Mr. Ralph Penny commented that any time they have had a developer come in and present ideas for the train station area the residents of Highland Avenue also attend and share how the commuters tear through their neighborhood at night. Mr. Penny said that the train station is an asset and it needs to be kept as a favorable asset. Mr. Shaun Burke stated that the TOD has many components and the vision for it needs to be accepted by the community. Mr. Trowbridge then asked the Planning Board to review the industrial space that is not located in the industrial park. He stated that there are little pockets of space and he would like to know if there are areas that need road improvements to support industrial development. He then gave the example of Oakland and Gilbert Street and would like to know of any problems ahead of time. Mr. Penny commented that he believed that the buildings in the Cabot Industrial Park were outdated and that th9buildings would to need to be torn down and rebuilt to fit the needs of businesses today. Mr. Rhein commented that he and Mr. Dumas met with MassBio and there is a Select Board Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 real shortage of spaces and added that bio manufactures are looking for the buildings like the ones in the Cabot Park. Mr. Burke stated that he was concerned what the effect of COVID will have on the industrial park. Ms. Sharon Freidman stated that she wanted to be clear that the Planning Board has not reached a consensus on these items and at this point these are individual statements. Secondly, Ms. Freidman said that the Cultural Council was trying to create a cultural district Downtown but things have shifted substantially. She added that to have a vibrant community it should include public art and cultural venues which are no longer Downtown like MMAS, Black Doll Museum and the dance studio. Ms. Diana Bren also questioned how to get reverse commuters because right now they would need a car to get to the industrial park for work. She also agreed with Ms. Friedman that the Downtown needs to be a destination not a place you go for an appointment. Mr. DelVecchio commented that there was a consideration to expand the Harry Chase Place pocket park that could allow a space for performances or festivities and he hopes the idea will come up again for consideration. He also added that if things could be flexible with regards the zoning it would put the Town at a greater advantage to meet the needs of businesses as businesses change. Ms. Collins commented that she has not heard that the zoning has limited industrial or economic development. Lastly, Mr. DelVecchio commented that the entire current Planning Board was present on the Planning Board or on the Masterplan Steering committee and that was a huge asset. Mr. Cerretani noted that as a commercial realtor many of the buildings in the industrial park have changed ownership. He said that many of the buildings are being updated and are bringing new tenants to the area and many businesses are bringing employees back to the office. Mr. Burke noted that the building height was a zoning amendment for the business park and allowed accessory parking structures and green roofs to address what the market was looking for at that time, but that has not been taken advantage of. He then added that the Town has prepared for the future opportunities with these bylaw amendments and is ready for when the time is right. Mr. Rhein commented that there has been an empty lot right in the middle of Downtown and asked the Planning Board if there was anything the Town could do to encourage something to happen there instead of a parking lot. Mr. Cerretani responded that there is an approved special permit for that location and Ms. Collins stated that the Planning Board would not reach out to a landowner. Mr. Trowbridge commented that this was approved and then the Chocolate Factory and One Mansfield were developed and then the building market conditions changed. Mr. Schoonveld commented that the Town doesn't own the land and the Town has to find a way to encourage land owners to develop their properties and also noted the Paine School property. Ms. Collins noted that that area of Downtown does not have an approved use of a parking lot. Mr. Schoonveld also asked if the Planning Board has compared the Cabot industrial parks to other communities around Mansfield and their business parks. Ms. Collins responded that they had not but thought it would be great opportunity for the economic development director to benchmark that information. There were no motions made at this meeting. Mr. Steve Schoonveld left the meeting at 7:01PM. • Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the October 13, 2021 Select Board meeting at 7:02PM (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 Signature Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Select Board Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021