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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 10/11/2023°,, o&ansf eld TU`>14 GI:E���a�ini g oard FASA9"nP�" W3 t1ov Is P b4 3b Meeting Minutes October 11 yy 2023 '� ' � � � ! rr MEETING HELD IN PERSON IN MEETING ROOM 3 A/B AND VIRTUALLY USING GOTOWEBINAR PLATFORM Present: Joseph Cerretani, Chair; Sharron Friedman, Clerk; Michael McClanahan; Michael Feck; Beth Ashman -Collins; and Sreelatha Allam, Associate Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning & Development Priscilla McGill, Administrative Secretary Absent: Ralph Penney and Mark Corsillo, Associate The Board Chair read the meeting introductory remark. Ms. Raposa noted that items one through seven had been discussed at the previous meeting and that this discussion would begin at item eight. The discussion topics and Board comments are as noted below: 8. Strengthen the design review standards and regulations to encourage desired development and redevelopment and protect neighborhood character. a. Ms. Ashman -Collins said that the Board does not do design review. She felt that the current bylaw does not allow for structures that would make the downtown neighborhood great. She noted that as a practice, currently when someone modifies a home in the center of Torvn, they would need meet with the Zoning Board of Appeals for a finding or a variance. She inquired if that practice should be regulated b. Ms. Raposa expressed that she thought it would be more for downtown businesses. She inquired if an advisory design review committee that project would need to go before in order to get vetted This would involve creating a new advisory committee with a set of guidelines. Ms. Ashman -Collins referenced a guide that had been previously established. Ms. Raposa said she would search for it. c. Mr. Cerretani suggested a design theme for the downtown area. 9. Evaluate and improve current methods for engaging with town governance, such as more interactive in -person forums, a centralized online. a. Suggestions were to have an outreach program with online link sign-up. Town events to have online sign-up. b. Currently the Town Manager's office creates a monthly newsletter on what's happening. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 1 of 6 c. Mr. Cerretani noted that he is a member of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce. He attended the last meeting where the three Town Managers, Mansfield, Foxboro and Norton presented on economic development. Mansfield presented on the status of the TOD, zoning, and roadway improvements. 10. Install wayfinding signs throughout town to direct people to open spaces, athletic fields, and conservation areas. a. Ms. Raposa noted that this topic falls with the Planning Department rather than the Planning Board The Town Manager's office has worked on the installation of way finding signs. They are working on adding more signage. 11. Evaluate alternative locations for dog parks. a. Ms. Raposa said that this is a Planning Department item on the Mansfield Green Master Plan. b. Board members suggested dog park locations that could be at open space areas, near walking paths, or at the landfill area. The Board suggested consideration of multiple locations for dog parks. 12. Work with community partners to develop town -wide branding and wayfinding to direct people to downtown and key community spaces from surrounding streets and bike paths. a. Ms. Raposa said she has been working with the Town Manager's office, Economic Development and the Department of Public Works. b. Ms. Friedman suggested possible community outreach for Town branding. Whcrt would people like to see or go to? Possibility of tying this into wayfinding. c. Ms. Ashman -Collins said that the Town Manager currently works with a branding consultant and there is a theme throughout the Town. d Board discussion ensued relating to the Town's infi-astructure and what it could support with growth. 13. Active downtown spaces by easing permitting for outdoor seating, exhibiting merchandise on sidewalks, and other public realm infrastructure. n. Currently merchandise on the sidewalk is not allowed, but the Board felt that it would be appropriate as long as it is ADA compliant, b. More outdoor seating; c. New developments with wider sidewalks; d. Considerfuture re bylaw amendment for above items; a. The Board was agreeable to the idea of a future bylaw to allow merchandise on sidewalks; e. Planters at store fronts are nice, but may hinder ADA sidewalk accessibility. 14. Adopt stronger zoning regulations, such as special permits for larger -unit buildings, to provide greater oversight over building design. a. This was worked on after the Master Plan and has continued du ring the MBTA and TOD bylaw process. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 2 of 6 15. Continue to strategically locate new residential development in downtown to errlrance and grow support for local retail and restaurant establishments. a. Currently working on this. 16. Consider incentives such as relocation assistance for businesses not well -suited for the Downtown environment. These may include certain auto -related uses such as dealerships and mechanic shops. a. The board asked what was purpose of this item? b. They expressed that they were not comfortable with the idea of relocating successful downtown businesses and that a mix of business uses is convenient to residents. 17. Couple new development with planned transportation and streetscape improvements to create a unique and unified commercial/mixed-use area in the downtown. a. Currently working on this. 18. Work with owners of vacant buildings to encourage short-term leases and temporary pop-up uses to fill vacant spaces. a. The Economic Development Director is currently working on this. b. The Board asked what type ofpop-ups would be considered. Discussion ensued for ideas of small retail, temporary food, holiday sales, art gallery. c. The Board asked what type oftemporary y signage would be allowed. Guidelines would be needed. d. This is not an immediate issue. 19. Finalize the Mansfield Station Revitalization Overlay District zoning which will ultimately allow larger developments to be built near the train station. The Overlay District includes modifications to allowable land uses, density, building heights, and parking ratios. a. This item is completed. 20. Integrate all TOD development, such as the former Chocolate Factory site, into the downtown through improved transportation infrastructure. a. Ms. Raposa noted that sidewalks and a bike lane were added to the site. 21. Develop a parking ordinance to regulate public parking time restrictions and paid parking. a. The Board noted that there had been a previous change from a two-hour to four-hour parking limit. b. Meters had not been recommended. There does not appear to be a parking problem at this time. 22. Improve parking -related signage and communications around locations, rates, and regulations. a. This ties to items 921. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 3 of 6 23. Create a pedestrian and bicycle master plan and establish a committee to help oversee and implement it. a. Tackle this item after the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is completed. b. Bike paths have been tied into the downtown area. Ms. Raposa noted that this phase of the Rules and Regulations would be getting into more substantive items starting with item 12. Ms. Raposa read through each section with additional continents noted below. 12. Preliminary Conference — this would include preliminary meeting with potential applicants for advisory feedback for the project. 13. Public Hearings — Ms. Raposa said that there should be carefid navigation of negative public continents. Public comment time limits can be established, but the content of what is said cannot be controlled. 14. Meeting Minutes — no additional comments. 15. Executive Session — no additional comments. 16. Executive Session Minutes — can be approved at an open session and still remain confidential. A separate vote would be taken to release the minutes. Sensitive portions of the minutes could also be redacted where needed. 17. Hearing Procedure — Ms. Raposa said that if a Board member does have a conflict of interest, the proper procedures should be followed. 18. Public Comments — no additional eonunents. 19. Abutter Notification - no additional comments. 20. Newspaper Notice - no additional continents. Updated Application Ms. Raposa reviewed the current application and noted that the waiver portion would be a part of the next Planning Board discussion. For the Site Plan Approval there are sections for the applicant to complete explaining how they comply under the specific criteria for Site Plan Approval and/or Special Permit. Ms. Raposa said that a draft Request for Quote will be ready at the next meeting for Board review. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 4 of 6 Ms. Raposa said that they are moving forward with the TOD extension and that there will be $rttue discussions for zoning amendments. Ms. Raposa also spoke of the potential amendment for retail gum businesses. Regarding the previous meeting's discussion, she also clarified that it was the town of Westford that had an application for a gun retailer. They now have a pending article for regulations. Ms. Raposa had shared the Westford meeting recording with the Board for conversation content which may be helpful for Mansfield potential regulations. Correspondence D. Austin Horowitz submitted a letter of resignation as the Planning Board representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD). Ms. Raposa is working with the Town Manager's office for a representative since the Planning Board meets on same night as SRPEDD. Mr. Cerretani suggested that members who served on the Master Plan Committee could be considered. Capital Improvements Plan Committee (CIP) Board Member Appointment There are currently Mr. Cerretani and Ms. Friedman are on the committee. Mr. Cerretani would like to step down as he is also on the Downtown Committee. Ms. Ashman -Collins and Ms. Friedman said they would like to be nominated. Motion: To appoint Ms. Ashman -Collins as Planning Board representative to the Capital Improvement Plan Committee. (Feck-McClanahan) Six (6) in favor, Zero (0) opposed, Zero (0) abstained PASSES Motion: To reappoint Ms. Friedman as Planning Board representative to the Capital Improvement Plan Committee. (McClanahan-Feck) Six (6) in favor, Zero (0) opposed, Zero (0) abstained PASSES Meeting Minutes No minutes were presented for approval. Ms. Friedman referenced an Open House scheduled for October 23`d from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Municipal Community Complex. The session will be for discussion of the Open Space and Recreation Plan updates. Ms. Friedman noted that there will be a public meeting at the Senior Center on October 17'h at 11:00ann to review plans for the new senior center. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Raposa noted that there is a pending bridge money request of $5,000 for a consultant to assist with the Transit Development Overlay Phase II until the grant money is presented. This will keep momentum going for the spring town meeting. The consultant will assist with compliance and areas of density. Ms. Raposa asked the Board if they wanted to keep the southern industrial area within the TOD overlay zoning. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed that the underlaying Industrial area will remain and mixed use would be in the overlay. A new overlay would not impact existing property and could more likely help it. Motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. (McClanahan - Feck) Six (6) in favor, Zero (0) opposed, Zero (0) abstained PASSES Date of Next Planning Board Meeting October 25, 2023 at 7:00 p. m. Sharon Friedman, Clerk ►i. $.'Z02.IF, Date of Approval Documents Presented at the meeting 1. Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning and Development meeting memo dated 10/5/23 2. D. Austin Horowitz submitted a letter of resignation dated 9/28/23 Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/11/23 Page 6 of 6