Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
CantonMPSC_Minutes_1-17-2019_ FINAL
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Canton Master Plan Update Steering Committee Meeting January 17, 2019, 7-9 pm Canton Public Library 786 Washington St MINUTES Present: Horsley Witten Group: Nate Kelly, Krista Moravec Master Plan Steering Committee: David McCarthy, Meredith McLoughlin, Michael McMahon, John McSweeney, and Tonja Mettlach Staff: Laura Smead, Town Planner Not present: Gerald Carmichael, Sonja Grauds, Emilio Mauro, and Tom Theodore Discussion/Homework 1. Welcome/Late Arrivals 7:00-7:05 • Meeting minutes from December unanimously accepted, 5-0 • Laura Smead presented David, Meredith, Michael, and Tonja with their reappointment request letters (on behalf of the Planning Board) – Sonja’s letter will be emailed; remaining members will be asked if they would like to be reappointed by the Board of Selectmen. 2. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes 7:05-7:10 3. Baseline Report Topic: Recreation & Open Space 7:10-7:30 Overview of Snapshot (see 190111_CantonMP_BaselineDRAFT_OpenSpaceRec.docx) What surprised you or was inconsistent with your perception of Canton? • KM: Open Space and Recreation Resources by ownership map does not match the updated Open Space and Recreation Plan (2018), and will be updated once Horsley Witten receives the GIS files. • With regards to the Distance to Open Space and Recreation Resources map, LS said the new Paul Revere Heritage Park will provide public open space to a neighborhood that didn’t have one within easy walking distance before. • LS wonders if Pakeen Farm might be used as open space to the Elm Street neighborhood? • LS noted that the neighborhood of town with the least walkable public open space (the south-east corner) also was the area of town noted to be the “Environmental Justice” community. • Members noted that people in the SE side of town likely go to neighboring towns for open space & recreation. What concerns you? Where are opportunities? • DM: Concerned about the language stating that it is unlikely that the Pappas Hospital and cemeteries will be developed. LS clarified that they are zoned Parkland and Open Space, which greatly limits the development potential. KM said she would confirm. • DM: Thinks it might be better to do the town pool at a new location with better parking. • Members noted the wonderful Master Plans for Pequitside Farm/ Pequitside Woods (1999), and Earl Newhouse Waterfront (2017). They wondered why more hadn’t been implemented at Pequitside Farm?
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Where would you like to see more information? What’s missing? • LS requested added language, pictures, and plans for the Paul Revere Heritage Park, estimated to open spring 2019 • Other missing facilities to include: Bolivar Pool (Town), Metropolitan Ice Rink (State owned, town run), Canton Ice House (private), TJO Sports (private) • LS suggested adding the newly created trail map to the Trail Master Plan section. 4. Public Outreach & Communication: Next Public Workshop/Open House 7:30-8:30 Review of Logistics (see 190111_DRAFT Canton Open House Proposal Feb-Mar 2019.docx) Event format: • Drop-in open house; will make sure that is explained in all promotion materials and to keep it very informal with no presentations • Members liked the idea of a punch card and raffle for attendees to visit all stations; raffle prize for $50 gift card (exact prize TBD); Also liked the idea of a reusable grocery bag with Master Plan logo for the first 50 people who attend • There will be a sign-in sheet, greeters, - members suggested adding the “What is the Master Plan” poster and handouts for those who haven’t been engaged thus far; There will be an exit survey • Laura will work with library to arrange kids activities, as well as light refreshments • There will be an information gallery of all boards and maps from first public workshop (updated as needed), as well as summarized public input to date • There will be topic stations with facilitators and activities that participants can do independently Proposed Stations • Downtown: LS suggested adding Paul Revere Heritage Site plans and reports and the Canton Center Economic Opportunity District bylaws to the current studies/reports section • Downtown: Members thought policy statements should be around economic development, identity/character like modifying or clarifying existing design guidelines and procedures, traffic/transportation/complete streets; parking management • Route 138: Members liked as written, suggested a visual preference survey as an activity; focus on land use questions • Housing: want to clarify what “affordable options” means (e.g. workforce housing, starter homes, smaller square footage lots, etc.); LS clarified that it is the Housing Action Plan (2015) and that may have recommendations that could be used to create policy statements • Activity might include a matrix of housing types along one axis with town areas/neighborhoods along another axis • Economic Development – generally liked it as written, add Top Golf and 1 Orchard Way/ 100 Royall Street to “pending projects” • Policy statements might include asking about what kind of
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services people want and need (e.g. more restaurant options, higher-end), as well as what kind of jobs people want more of in town (e.g. healthcare, IT, bioscience, “green” manufacturing) • Connectivity: Add regional plans (I-93/I-95 interchange), MAPC TOD study is for Canton Junction, not Canton Center; Activity might be a mapping exercise, plus asking about other policies (e.g. shuttles); clarify to people that Turnpike Street is a state road; David wonders about needing a comprehensive traffic study, some discussion about if that would be useful or what exactly that would entail – e.g. looking at the impacts of adding an east-west road • Resource protection: Add historic preservation initiatives, ask about a stormwater utility as a policy question, look to the MVP Report and Community Preservation Plan as inspiration for policy questions (and other plans referenced) • Services: would like the title to be “Town Services”, wonders if we should explicitly include the DPW services? Town staffing needs? 5. Public Outreach & Communication 8:30-9:00 ‒ Op eds o January – Tom Theodore o February – TBD Next meeting will be scheduled for February 12th, 2019 in the Aldrich Room of the Canton Public Library. Topics are anticipated to be the upcoming Drop-in workshops, and the land use build out analysis.