Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Stimson Hall
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Minutes
Present: Rick Licht, Dick Barter, Ed Libby, Don Hutchins, Anne Gass
Absent: Lew Mancini, Tom Delancey, Lance Tlumac
Staff: George Thebarge, Dennis Lachman
6:30 PM Call to Order.
- The committee welcomed new member, Rick Licht, and returning member Don Hutchins
2) The committee approved the following officers-
Ed Libby- Chair
VP- Lew Mancini
Secretary- Anne Gass
Lance Tlumac forwarded his resignation to Ed, citing family and work pressures. That leaves the committee with 1 vacancy.
3) Monument Square Master Planning update.
- George and Dennis provided an update on the planning charrette.
George has simplified the initial presentation to make it more accessible, and reviewed it with the committee.
After considerable discussion, CEDC members agreed that we should begin with the question of how we might pursue revitalization of the village area, rather than leading with the question of what the town’s involvement should be along the public-private partnership spectrum. Members agreed that until participants saw the examples of what we might do, they wouldn’t have enough information to answer the question of the role the town might have. Dennis pointed out that just as there is a continuum of public-private partnerships, there is a continuum of public private investment.
George has spoken with many surrounding property owners and they seem receptive to the planning efforts.
Members agreed that to engage people in this process we have to answer the question of “why” they should become involved- both for economic development, and to create a great place for Gray.
- Discussed promotion of charrette to the public.
Having initially thought we would try to do the charette in two days, a Friday evening and Saturday discussion, the challenge of getting people to come to two different sessions seemed overwhelming. The committee recommended instead to do it all on one day, November 12. To promote it, we agreed to the following:
- Town staff will do a postcard mailing to 4,000 households.
- We will also have a display in Pennell on election day, so that voters will see it.
- Information will be posted on the CEDC page of the town website
- Information will also be posted on the town’s local access channel.
4) Area 3 updates/discussion.
The committee discussed the issue of the town comprehensive plan, which was adopted by the town in 2004 but which was not approved by the State Planning Office (SPO)
George contacted the SPO, which said the town had done a good job designating growth areas, but:
1) Needs clear boundaries around the growth area
2) Adopt policies with teeth- zoning, capital investments, etc. – to direct growth
Since the town failed to make the necessary changes within the prescribed period, it will have to develop a completely new plan in order to for the SPO to consider it again.
CEDC members agreed that to begin the comp plan process again at this point would be contentious. The last plan cost $90K and did not get us where we needed to be, and the town is currently strapped for funds. George will explore further in what ways the town might be penalized for failing to have an SPO-approved plan. One clear concern would be the Communities for Maine’s Future funding, which is $4.5 million statewide. There may also be an issue for permitting in the Area 3 redevelopment.
George suggested one option redoing the Comp Plan would be to hire the Greater Portland Council of Governments to assist with it, which would be less costly, and split the required funding over two cycles.
Members agreed to recommend to the council that the town would be better served in the short term to continue our focus on the Monument Block, the Clark Block, and Area 3. The council will discuss this at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
5) Clark Block ribbon cutting update.
Since there are several vacancies, and Dunkin Donuts is not currently engaged in active planning around the parking issue, George recommended that we postpone the ribbon cutting. The committee agreed.
6) Gateway sign discussion.
Deferred due to lack of time
8:30PM Adjourn
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