The Select Board will be meeting this evening at 7:00pm in the Select Board meeting room at Town Hall and remotely on Zoom. After Select Board Liaison and Town Manager Reports, the board will be shown a presentation on the Haven Streetscape designs. The “DOWNTOWN READING – PHASE 2” project team from the Town of Reading consists of Ryan Percival PE – Town Engineer & Andrew MacNichol – Community Development Director with the assistance of BETA Group, Inc. Darshan N. Jhaveri, PE – Project Manager & Scott Ridder – Landscape Architect. The team looked at the following sets of criteria:
- Maximize Landscape/Reduce Impervious
- Pedestrian Walks & Crossing Improvements
- Vehicular & Traffic Improvements
- Lighting Considerations
- Co-Space Activation & Placemaking
The next steps beyond tonight’s meeting is to Secure Funding in the Fall 2024, Bid in the Winter 2024 and to have The next steps beyond tonight’s meeting is to Secure Funding in the Fall 2024, Bid in the Winter 2024 and to have Construction taking place in 2025 – 2027. There is no mention in the presentation on how much the project is expected to cost or any Grant opportunities.
Next, the board will discuss MBTA Communities (G.L. c.40A, s.3A), including a review of potential rezoning proposal. In the packet their are two concepts presented:
Concept 1: A-80 Expansion, which Maintains existing Downtown 40-R District zoning as is, takes credit for some of Reading’s existing density at Reading Commons and Gazebo Circle/Summit Towers and Considerations of additional density in these areas.
Concept 2: Main Street + Downtown:
Downtown
• Upzone within the existing Downtown Smart Growth District (DSGD) zoning geography.
• Can capture near two-thirds of Unit Capacity and meet the 1/2-mile acreage percentage.
• Allows us to maintain the 20-25% Affordability requirement for 40R developments within the area.
• Promotes growth and fits in with existing forms and
characteristics of the Downtown.
Main Street
• Allows additional multifamily use where it already exists today.
• Require Affordable Units for 10-15% Affordable Units (on 13+ unit projects)
• Several parcels that are favorable for redevelopment.
• Linear corridor connections with revitalization.
Public Hearings on the proposed changes listed above, will be held on Monday September 16 at 7:00 pm & Thursday September 19 at 7:00 pm. The Purpose is to review the proposed zoning bylaw amendments in advance of November Town Meeting. These hearings will review the bylaw text for the proposed MBTA Communities district, including multi-family housing uses and controls, and business uses and controls.
Changes may include amending the existing zoning district boundaries or creating new zoning districts and amending applicable sections.
The complete agenda is listed below.
- 7:00 Overview of Meeting
- 7:05 Public Comment
- 7:15 Select Board Liaison and Town Manager Reports
- 7:30 Haven Streetscape Discussion
- 8:00 Approve Shared Services Inter-Municipal Agreement: Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative (North Andover, Andover, Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield and the City of Haverhill)
- 8:10 MBTA Communities Discussion (G.L. c.40A, s.3A), including review of potential rezoning proposal
- 8:40 Presentation from the Town Forest Committee on proposed Town Meeting Warrant Articles to amend General Bylaw Sections 8.8.1.3 and 8.8.3.2
- 9:00 Approval of Land Damage Agreement with MassDOT involving MassDOT’s acquisition of Town owned property at 435 Main Street, Wilmington
- 9:10 Discuss Parking Kiosk Implementation/ Update
- 9:20 Appoint Associate Member Kevin Leete or Laura Noonan to the Recreation Committee as a full member
- 9:30 Review and Vote on Town Counsel Exemption Pursuant to G.L. c. 268A, §19(b)(1) for Charter Review
- 9:40 Future Meeting Agendas
- 9:50 Approve Meeting Minutes
The 7:00PM meeting will take place in the Select Board Room and Zoom. The public can attend virtually or watch via several options: via a broadcast on RCTV’s YouTube channel at this link or on the RCTV Government Channel (Xfinity ch 22, Verizon ch 33). The Zoom link for this meeting is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82648454959
