March 12, 2018 Master plan implementation committee

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Master Plan Implementation Committee
Community Notes
Monday, March 12, 2018 @ 7pm
Town Hall

Board/Committee members in attendance

• Jessica Porter, Chair at large
  
• John Sisson, Economic Development Director
  
• Fred Civian, Clerk – Conservation Commission
  
• Marty Lindemann –Financial Commission
  
• Ryan McDermott, at large
  
• Michelle Persson-Reilly at large
  
• Shaw McDermott
  

Absent:

• Carol Hills
  
• Jay O’Brien
  
• Dennis Teehan
  

Agenda

• Public Comment
  
• Approval of Minutes
  
• Update Upcoming Municipal Meetings of Import
  
• Update on Hiring of new Town Planner
  
• Next steps for 2020 Master Plan
  
• Committee Governance
  
• Age Restricted Housing Zoning Amendment
  
• Old/New Business
  

Public Comment

• None
  

Motion to approval of February Minutes

• Correction, Carol Hills was absent
  
• Typo corrections (email of or phone) (h0ow)
  
• 2020 committee structure:  It is unclear which organizations of those named should have representation.
  

The minutes were unanimously approved.


Update Upcoming Municipal Meetings of Import

• The Open Space Committee meeting from last Wednesday is postponed to this Wednesday 3/14
  
• The Dedham Square Steering Committee, part 2 meeting is scheduled for  3/20 at 7:00.  It will include a draft structure of the design guidelines, which will be user friendly for developers, committees, and the public.
  

Hiring of new town planner

• Second interview on promising candidate.  The town hopes to make an offer soon
  
• Town Manager did the 1st interview, Planning Board members administered 2nd interview
  
  • Have we judged their ability to present publically?
    
    • Not directly, but has in their capacity with another town.  HR to follow up on references.
      
  • Candidate was asked about their comfort in presenting on variety of formats with good results.
    
  • Town HR director deserves credit for designing a good process
    
  • If it does not work with this candidate, the town will look to work with a recruitment firm to fill position quickly
    

Next steps for 2020 Master Plan

• The Committee had considered postponing budget ask to begin the Master Plan process until fall, but decided to start with $400 request for workshop to engage stakeholders in the development of the RFP.  This funding is approved.  In addition to the regular April Meeting, they need to schedule 2 hour block to help direct the efforts of the citizen planner group.
  
• Workshop Topic:  Identify best practice in master plans to build it into the RFP in order to inform the development of a more-specific RFP.  This would not be writing the RFP, but rather a broad outline and steps in public engagement, as well as other trends to consider that are standard practice in other master plans.
  
  • Could be an iterative process with multiple engagements beyond this one meeting, there is time
    
  • Previously used the by-laws and statute as the organizing frame for the plan.  Those elements need to be addressed, but these do not dictate the form of the plan or limit the scope of additional elements
    
  • Other boards and departments to represent officially, this gives a way to engage more without changing the structure of the committee.
    
  • The more participation early, the better.  Groups that would be interested should be proactively invited to participate.  Committees or community groups?  Where to draw the line to manage the process.  Ask the consultant for the optimal number of participants.
    
  • Workshop is a good idea, but needs to engage this committee as much as the participants in the workshop as the work involved in Master Plan will fall to this committee
    
  • This committee has discretion on how to take the input of workshop, but any interaction would be positive.
    
  • Aim for workshop during regular meeting time.  Committee to advise chair on invitees, hopefully April 9th.
    

              
Committee Governance

• Committee member names should be listed on the town website
  
• Need to determine how the public should contact committee members -  Phone or email?
  
  • Will poll absent committee members before finalizing
    
• It may be possible to set up an email (or webform) specific to the master plan to take ideas
  
  • One challenge on email – “reply all” may trigger open meeting law
    
    • Finance Committee has a process for avoiding “reply all” challenges
      
• Website can set expectations for the public.  If whole committee wants to be addressed, send to chair who will raise to the whole committee
  

Age Restricted Housing Zoning Amendment
Presentation by Greystar – Property investment, development, management firm on proposed Overture development.  Presentation lead by Attorney Peter Zahka

• Zoning Article Amendment Submitted to Town Meeting to do multifamily w/o mixed use.
  
  • By special permit, limited to RDO district, still must be near commercial district.  Encourages the most rigorous review processes for non-residential development, adds an affordable component (min 10%) with Dedham resident preference (70% of the 10%), would be first time on Dedham by-laws.
    
• Public hearing on the 22nd
  
• Visited Council on Aging, Housing Authority, Livable Dedham
  
• The intent of the amendment is to allow for proposed property, will not directly approve it.
  
• Restricted to 55+ residents without need for senior services
  
  • Concept developed with Carlyle group
    
  • 200-225 units
    
  • Average Age ~70
    
  • Amenities to support active lifestyles and proximity to retail
    
  • Plan to support housing trends and demographic changes identified in current master plan
    
  • Residents would need to be immediate spouse if not meeting the age restriction
    
  • Declining health would not force eviction
    
  • Parking in a parking deck, integrated into the structure.  ~1.35 spaces per unit. Traffic consultant being engaged.  Likely the lowest transport demand of any other development option
    
  • Typical lease will be 1 year.  Market Rate 3-4k, starts at $2,700
    
  • Domino Effect for surrounding properties?
    
    • Would be interested in another project nearby if this is successful, but would likely take a different form
      
    • No specific plans to do so at this time
      
  • Are nearby planned locations of healthcare providers part of the calculus on siting the project?
    
  • What % of Dedham residents that are 55+ could afford this?
    
    • Existing residents will get top dollar for single homes
      
    • The demographics within a 5 mile radius “look good” according to Greystar
      
  • Livable Dedham is interested in over time seeing that there are options for all residents.  Looking at need for economic diversity.  More than 10% would be good.
    
    • Survey results - 70% want to stay in Dedham.  20% worried about being able to afford it.  37% say affordability is problem in Dedham.  Looking for more relief on these issues
      
  • Open space – not gated.  Building is secure, though site not.
    
    • Other boards likely to have thoughts on proving access to trails and pond
      
  • Look to opportunities to leverage changes in transportation choices with zipcar and or mobility choices.
    
  • Are there other parcels that would qualify?  Not that are immediately developable.
    
  • Are there working examples?  Yes Virginia Beach and Fairfax.  Video of these examples is available.  Overture brand is used in other places that will look very comparable to the final product.
    
  • Going to Housing board on Monday, 3/19
    
  • Need more Middle range options.  This fills a high end need.
    

Old/New Business
None

Meeting Adjourned 9:00 pm

Notes taken by  Mike Steinhoff
Notes reviewed by Heather Springer

Community Notes are not official minutes or transcriptions of a meeting. They are intended to provide summaries of discussion and actions taken at meetings. For official meeting minutes, visit the Town of Dedham’s website or contact the Town Clerk.

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