HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of planning brd 03/31/04
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Planning Board Minutes
March 31, 2004
Tom French, Chair; Bernie Dolan, Clerk; Doug Annino, Ken ToI'IllaIl, Fred
, Walter Jenkins; Shaun P. Burke, Director ofPlannin and Develo ment
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Mr. Burke made introductory remarks about the purpose of the workshop. He explained
the meeting would focus on design guidelines, examples of other communities'
guidelines, and how they are established and implemented.
Beth Dahlstrom, Clark University graduate student, did a Powerpoint presentation about
design guidelines. Following the presentation, she conducted a discussion on how design
guidelines could be implemented locally. She explained guidelines are drafted by local
officials, merchants and residents and are not mandatory, but recommendations. She said
design guidelines work best when there is an incentive for the owner/merchant, such as
matching funding from the town or grants for signage, lighting or ~ade improvements.
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The board and downtown merchants discussed various downtown issues, including
defining an identity for downtown, utilitzing a variety of building types, diversity of
businesses, common design themes, attracting service-oriented shops, colors, signage
guidelines, awnings, lighting levels and the need to light the building without having the
light spill onto the sidewalk, encourage restoration and renovation of existing buildings,
trash barrels, signs identifying the location of businesses, replacing light poles with trees.
The group agreed that a number of these low-cost items could be done relatively quickly
to improve downtown, such as:
· selecting common design themes, such as colors/awning types for businesses
· establishing signage guidelines
· adding trash barrels
· adding street trees!landscaping/planters
· sweeping streets more often
Ms. Dahlstrom asked the group if there was any interest in forming a committee to draft
design standards. Consensus was to do that as soon as possible. It was agreed that
working on this would be a positive step for downtown. The next downtown workshop
will be Wednesda , A ril28 at 7:30 .m. to be in the desi n idelines rocess.
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Motion: To adjourn at 9:15 pm (Torman-Dolan) All in favor. PASSES
Date of next meeting: April 14, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
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Signature of Cler .
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Date of Approval c
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