ZRC minutes Oct 20, 2010
MINUTES, ZONING REVISIONS COMMITTEE OCT 20, 2010
MEMBERS ATTENDING: Stephen Gilson, Jim Nash, Dennis Bidwell, Dillon Sussman, Danielle McKahn
ALSO ATTENDING: Carolyn Misch, OPD
The meeting was called to order by interim chair Danielle McKahn at 7:05.
Public Comment
Ben Forbes inquired about the Committee’s likely response to some of the recommendations made by
Joel Russell in his resignation letter.
Tom Andros recommended the Committee consider the impacts on State and North Streets of possible
increased commercial development on King Street.
OPD’s Charrette Proposal
Carolyn reviewed the plans for the Charrette to be held Nov. 13, 8:30 to 12:30, location TBD. It will be
sponsored by Planning Board and ZRC, with the Chamber invited to participate.
A talented facilitator has been approached about leading the charrette that day.
The plan is to have someone with graphic skills available that day to sketch out ideas and
recommendations, etc.
There was agreement that it would help the process if a summary of the King St. proposal on the table
could be distributed at the outset of the charrette as a point of reference for all.
The aim of the charrette is to move from the “90% agreement level” where things stand now, to 100%
(or very close to it) by the end of the charrette. That would then leave OPD staff in position to draft
zoning language, based on such agreement, to bring back to Planning Board for movement to City
Council.
There was discussion of where alternatives and new ideas would best fit in the agenda. It was agreed to
add a reference to “brainstorming and assessing alternatives” in the two hours of the agenda set aside
for “Focus of Session.”
Additional areas of research needed prior to the Charrette were identified and assigned.
Workshop on Transforming Commercial Highway Strips into Mixed Use Centers
Several ZRC members will attend this Nov 9 workshop. Danielle will handle ZRC registrations.
Danielle’s Alternative King Street Proposal
Danielle presented alternative ideas about King Street rezoning, first in map form, then in the form of a
grid comparing current zoning, the OPD/Chamber recommendations, and her recommendations.
Discussion ensued. There was agreement that these recommendations could be introduced at the
charrette as the thinking of individual ZRC members. Neither the Chamber/OPD recommendations nor
Danielle’s recommendations are likely to bear the endorsement of the ZRC as of the time of the
charrette.
Carolyn observed that the stormwater treatment parts of Danielle’s recommendations were generally
handled by DPW.
Stephen summarized that the bulk of the disagreement remains in the areas of setbacks and buffers.
Next ZRC meeting will be Wednesday Nov. 3 at 7 pm.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10.
Respectfully submitted, Dennis Bidwell