Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Brd Min_2101993PLANNING BOARD MINUTES February 10, 195 PRESENT: Chairman Madan, Clerk Cadden PLANNERS: Annino, Caponigro, Flynn 3 Richard Lewis, Environmental and Conservation Planner 1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. 2.. Land Use Study Consultant Interviews A. 7:00 P.M. Thomas Planning Services Charles Thomas represented Thomas Planning Services at the interview. Charles Thomas gave a brief summary of his firm stating that Thomas Planning Services has been in existence for thirty years; consulting towns has been a major part of the firms projects; the firm has experience in developing master plans, working with capital improvements plans, proposing subdivision rules and regulations amendments, and analyzing general as well as zoning by -laws with the goals and objectives. Following Mr. Thomas's brief summary, the Planning Board asked him questions regarding similar projects Thomas Planning Services has worked on, the manner in which Thomas Planning Services would convince the voters in the Town of Mansfield that their recommendations are the right way to go, understandability of graphics and written material for the Board, as well as the Townspeople, why the Town should hire Thomas Planning Services to conduct the land use study, flexibility of the payment schedule, mapping systems to be used, development philosophy, implementation of past projects, number and format of workshops, and presence of a representative of the firm at Town Meeting. Several of the responses given by Mr. Thomas were as -follows: Thomas Planning Services has worked on a similar project in the Berskshires, such as the Jug End Barn and the Berkshire Mall. Neither project has been implemented. The mall project has not be completed yet. Charles Thomas stated that the Board members would each be given a notebook of information which would be added to as the study progressed. Mr. Thomas also stated that his firm is flexible with the payment schedule. B. 7:45 P.M. Mark Bobrowski and Associates Both Mark Bobrowski, an attorney in Foxboro, and Rick Tainter, Planner for the Land Use Collaborative, were present during the interview. Rick Tainter was filling in for John Whiteman, who will `actually be conducting the study, should their firm be chosen. Following a brief summary of Mark Bobrowski and Associates in association with the Land Use Collaborative, the Planning Board asked questions regarding projects they have worked on similar to the study to be conducted in Mansfield, their philosophy towards development, number of reports to be provided to the Town, understandability of by -laws they have drafted, number of projec>s they have worked on together, results of studies they have conducted, set up of workshops, presentation of material, graphics, etc., and payment schedule flexibility. Several responses of Mark Bobrowski and Rick Tainter were as follows: They have worked on approximately six projects together; some of the projects similar to Mansfield's study would be Route 136 in Framingham in which they conducted a build -out analysis, and a study in Nadick, both of which were adopted. Both Attorney Bobrowski, as well as a Planner of the Land Use Collaborative, would be present during the workshops. Mark Bobrowski stated that his function at a public workshop would be to direct the meeting, answer questions, suggest alternatives, make recommendations, and leave the educated choices to the Planning Board. Rick Tainter stated that graphics for their proposal would include clear slides. It was also stated that their payment schedule is flexible. C. 8:25 P.M. Maguire Group Ted Spinard, professional Planner and Project Manager, and Dave Westcott, certified planner, were present for the interview. Following a presentation of the way in which the Maguire Group would organize and conduct the study, Board members asked questions regarding their interest in a project of this size, similar projects they have undertaken, graphics to be used, number of people in the department to be working on the project, number of workshops proposed, and flexibility of the payment schedule. Responses of the representative of the Maguire group were as follows: The Planning Department within the Maguire Group consists of six people and generally works on projects of this size, such as an creation of an overlay district for the Blackstone Park, a parking plan for Marlboro; and a water shed overlay district. Their firm would use AUTOCAD to create colorful overlay and graphics. They also stated that their payment schedule is flexible. MOTION: To hire Mark Bobrowski and Associates to conduct the Land Use Study in the Great Woods area. (Flynn- Annino) All in favor. PASSES Prior to voting on the above motion, Board members and Environmental and Conservation Planner Richard Lewis discussed the consultants interviewed this evening. Some the items expressed at this time were: 1. Proximity of,consultant to Manfield. 2. In agreement'of Bobrowski and Associates approach. 3. Do not want to deal with too big of a company. 4. Maguire Group may be too high tech. They may be able to generate detailed maps, etc., but the disk would not be compatible with the Town's computer system. 5. Bobrowski and Associates has completed many similar projects. 6. Maguire referenced impact fees which may show that they are thinking at more of a national than town level. 7. Maguire Group spoke of many things that the Planning Board has already implemented such as site plan review. 3. Public Discussion Leonard Flynn stated that the consultant chosen to conduct the land use study within the Great Woods area should be informed of the information that is already available pertaining to the area so that studies which have already been conducted will not be duplicated. 4. Around the Table Planner Annino stated that he felt it was worthwhile to interview the consultants who applied for the land use study. Environmental and Conservation Planner Richard Lewis requested the Board review and comment on the Plymouth Street Soccer Field project. A concensus of the Board was to place the review on next week's agenda. 5. Adjournment 9:15 P.M. " uck— I8, 3 CLiRK'S SIGNATURE DATE OF APPROVAL