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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMaster Plan Council 03/26/1987TOW OF MANSFIELD MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL119JMW`n MINUTES OF MEETING l�Date of meeting: March 26, 1987 � ) JUN 19 (�19Mk ' Members Present: Kelli Spedden Stephen Calvin Steven Chapman Joanne Colella Paul Folkman Larry Harrington Bill Madan Carl Nelson Ralph Seifert Allen Willis The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.. Ms. Spedden advised the Council that there was no agenda for this meeting; that it would be a round table. The minutes of the March 12 meeting, having been mailed to all members for their review prior to this meeting, were not read. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mrs. Colella, seconded by Mr. Willis, and passed by unanimous vote, with Mr. Harrington abstaining. The Council complimented Ms. Hillman on the quality of the meeting minutes to date. Correspondance Ms. Spedden informed the Council, for the record, that a revised proposal with a cover letter had been received from IEP. Mr. Folkman read a copy of a letter addressed to Chairman of the Burd of Selectmen, Norman Manana, from Robert Whitney stating that due to a new employment situation he was resigning from the Finance Committee and the Master Plan Advisory Council. Mr. Follman also read a memorandum from the Town Manager to the Planning Board' regarding articles on a downtown zoning bylaw amendment and trash -to -energy issue, stating that the Board of Selectmen had voted unanimously not to include them on a Special Tcwn Meeting Warrant, and were returning them to the Planning Board with copies being sent to the this Council for its review and consideration. Ms. Spedden read an excerpt of an article written by State Representative Bill Vernon and published in the Mansfield Reporter that had been given to a Council member, regarding legislation allowing a property tax exemption for residential improvements made to provide "in-law" apartments for persons over 59 who are not the owner. Report by Map Sub -Committee Mr. Nelson presented the map created by his subcommittee, which had been color coded to show what areas the town now awns, and in what capacity (municipal, recreation, housing, water, conservation, airport, etc.). He added that the value of tax exempt land exceeds 19 million dollars; and that it appears that the town awns close to 15% of the land in town. Mr. Nelson added that he would like to go further with this map to include amounts of acreage, state awned land, churches, roads, etc. F The Council discussed various parcels of land on the map, and its possible use in coordination with the Conservation Commission and other boards, the problems of land locked parcels, and the possibility of reproducing the map when finished for distribution to members. TOWN OF MANSFIELD 2 MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING - 3/26/87 Termination of IEP's Contract Ms. Spedden advised the Council of the Board of Selectmen's and Planning Board's unanimous votes authorizing Rande Wilson, Tcwn Manager, to terminate the contract with IEP and negotiate a settlement. This was done because of the dissatisfaction of the Town Manager and the Council with IEP's draft report, their failure to meet deadlines, and their failure to develop a second draft report that would meet with the Town Manager's approval. Despite a meeting of representatives of IEP with Mr. Wilson and Ms. Spedden on March 12 to attempt to clarify the town's goals and objectives, IEP's proposal in response had not been acceptable. Specifically lacking from their proposal was any discussion of downtown, a zoning map review (which had been specifically requested), and no coordination of the affordable housing study into the plan. The Council discussed with Mr. Wilson the termination of IEP's contract and negotiation of a settlement in regard to what percent of their contract they had completed, what data Mansfield can expect to receive in the settlement (including the surveys), and how long it might take to reach a settlement. Also discussed was IEP's contract and what should be included in a new contract. Mr. Wilson asked the Council to develop a list of goals and objectives in priority order that he could use in writing a contract with a new consultant. The possibility of negotiating an extension of Connery Associates' contract with the Town to complete this portion of the Master Plan was discussed. Due to their experience in downtown and master plan work in other towns, the fact that they are already familiar with the Town and the Council, and that the Council has been most satisfied with their work to date, it was felt they might be an excellent choice, and could be in place quickly. The Council also discussed the possibility of establishing a subcommittee to interview a new consultant if a new firm other than Connery Associates is considered. Development of Goals and Objectives The Council reviewed the list of "crucial issues" that had been developed at the Council's August 20 meeting, which included: 1. Water quality/quantity 7. Traffic/Road Systems 2. Solid waste disposal 8. Downtown Area/Parking 3. Population growth 9. Aesthetics 4. Economic Development 10. Housing 5. School Population/Capacity 11. Future Water Supply 6. Municipal Services 12. Open Space Discussed in detail were the number of studies that have been completed in recent years that are on record in Town Hall and could be used in developing the Master Plan. other resources available to the Council, such as SERPDD hours, were discussed. Mr. Folkman advised the Council on materials he had that might be of assistance r in developing goals and the master plan process; specifically "The Land Book" which he agreed to provide copies of the appropriate sections to the membership for the next meeting. TOWN OF MANSFIELD MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING - 3/26/87 Development of Goals and Objectives (cont) The Council, in round table format, developed the following list of items (in no particular priority order) which they would like to see included in the development of the Master Plan: Downtown - including parking Trigger points - in Master Plan booklet distributed to residents Land Maps - Existing use maps Housing Evaluation of all current zoning, including a map Comprehensive overview of what people want (including, not limited to, surveys) Water Resources - the Water Protection District Advisory Committee's report incorporated into the Master Plan Capital Improvements Program - including tie in to population growth Airport Solid Waste Tax Structure - costs associated with growth, including capital and operating Preservation of Town Character - aesthetics Affordable Housing Study coordinated into the Master Plan Cluster/Planned Unit Development - to address issues of housing the elderly Zoning Bylaws - Maps, Site review process Industrial Zoned Areas - for multi -story office development Commercial Property Development - where it is now, what and where wanted Village Centers - appropriate to developments? Sewer Expansion - Costs and benefits Water Protection Studies already done incorporated in the Master Plan Municipal Services (schools, services, etc.) - studied on comparison basis rather that operated by "crisis management." Conservation Land - What we have, what we want and don't want Traffic Control Com cater Rail 3 TOWN OF MANSFIELD 4 MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING - 3/26/87 Development of Goals and Objectives (cont) The Council discussed the scope of the items listed, and the necessity to review, expand on, and prioritize them at the next regular Council meeting. In regard to the scope of the list, the Council felt that if all of the issues were to be addressed it might be necessary to request additional time and funds. Some members felt that it might be impossible to prioritize these issues, and would rather turn this draft list over to Mr. Wilson for his review, to assist him in reaching objectives with a new consultant. Public Hearing Ms. Spedden outlined the agenda for the April 2 public hearing. Connery Associates has planned a concise overview of the affordable housing study, approximately 20 minutes. The hearing is planned as an interaction between Connery Associates and the audience, and will be concept oriented, and aimed at gauging audience reaction and gathering the input of residents. Council members felt that a slide presentation would be advisable to show residents the ways that some types of development have been acccnplished in other areas. Mr. Willis shared with the Council a handout he had received on cluster housing, which the Council might want to display at the hearing. He agreed to try to obtain more copies for the Council members and for Connery Associates. other Business Mr. Chapman, in answer to comients about the informal survey from the audience, read portions from page 3 and 4 of the minutes of the February 5 meeting, which emphasized that no conclusions were being drawn from the surveys at that time, and no votes were taken. Mr. Calvin made a motion that the Council not undertake to study the trash -to - energy situation as a part of the Master Plan, which was seconded by Mr. Seifert. Mrs. Colella amended the motion to include a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen that they establish a separate ccmudttee to study trash to energy. The amended motion passed by unanimous vote. At 9:45 Mr. Seifert made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Folkman, and passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Hillman, Secretary