MANSFIELD DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
MINUTES
Present: Steve Bacon, Martin Berliner, Tom Callahan, Bruce Clouette, Dianne Doyle, Mike Gergler, Al Hawkins, Janet Jones, Philip Lodewick, Betsy Paterson, Dave Pepin, Steve Rogers, Betsy Treiber, Frank Vasington
Staff: Cynthia van Zelm, Lee Cole-Chu
Guests: Tom Cody, Howard Kaufman, Macon Toledano
1. Call to Order
Philip Lodewick called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
2. Opportunity for Public to Comment
There was no public comment.
3. Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved unanimously.
4. Director’s Report
5. Approval of Commission on Culture and Tourism Grant Budget for Weekend Package Brochure
Betsy Paterson made a motion to amend the Mansfield Downtown Partnership budget to authorize the allocation of a $3,000 Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Grant for a brochure marketing a weekend package in conjunction with the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts 50th anniversary. The grant budget would be allocated as follows: $500 will be allocated for the Partnership and Town of Mansfield’s administration of the grant; $1,800 for brochure design and printing; and $700 for brochure mailing. Bruce Clouette seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
6. Update on Status of DRAFT Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Storrs Center project/Review of Timeline
Ms. van Zelm said that the MDP had been reviewed by state agencies and most of the comments were minor with the exception of some comments from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding land uses. She said that she, Lee Cole-Chu, Macon Toledano, and Tom Cody had met with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD) to review their comments and there was verbal agreement with DEP on how to address their comments. She reviewed the timeline with the Board where it is expected that local reviews would occur in September and October. Tom Cody reviewed the comments from state agencies. Tom Callahan said that the UConn Board of Trustees review is penciled in for September 20. He asked Ms. van Zelm if a public hearing date on the MDP had been scheduled yet and she said no.
Steve Rogers asked how DEP’s comments about not allowing auto service stations in the new development affects Storrs Automotive. Macon Toledano said that the DEP is concerned about how certain uses affect the watershed. DEP will allow certain existing land uses but with restrictions to protect the watershed. Revisions to the MDP will address this issue.
Mr. Toledano reviewed the plans for creation of a special design district. The first step is to create regulations to allow for a special design district for the project area. The next step is for the Partnership and the master developer LeylandAlliance to apply to the Planning and Zoning Commission to upzone the development area into the special design district. Design and sustainability guidelines are being developed to be submitted along with the zoning regulation changes. Mr. Clouette asked if the Town of Mansfield can create a special design district. Tom Cody replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Lodewick asked how far the plans are in terms of depicting the new development. Mr. Toledano said the plans are still conceptual but the design guidelines are almost complete. Frank Vasington asked who has put the guidelines together. Mr. Toledano said it has been an effort by Looney Ricks Kiss (the Partnership’s consultant), LeylandAlliance, and Herbert S. Newman and Partners. The sustainability guidelines have been largely created with the assistance of Steven Winter who was the former chair of the US Green Building Council. Mr. Toledano said the Partnership’s Planning and Design Committee had played a significant role in providing feedback on the guidelines at its monthly meetings. Town Planner Greg Padick, Town Fire Marshal John Jackman and other Town staff have provided input into the guidelines.
Mr. Callahan asked about the permitting process. What other permits are needed besides local permits, i.e., Inland Wetlands Agency? Mr. Toledano said permits will also be needed from the DEP for the stormwater plan, the State Traffic Commission, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (wetlands). Mr. Callahan asked that the state and federal permitting process be added to the timeline. Mr. Toledano will also be putting together a construction timeline, as the project gets closer to fruition.
Dave Pepin asked about a tentative date to break ground. Mr. Toledano said he hoped that groundbreaking on some of the infrastructure could start before October 2006.
Mr. Callahan asked about when financial commitments by investors would be made to the plan. Lee Cole-Chu said he believes that this is laid out in the development agreement between the Partnership and LeylandAlliance but he would review it and let the Board know at its next meeting.
Mr. Pepin asked about the status of funding for the parking garage. Betsy Paterson said that she has been in touch with Congressman Simmons about the request from the Town and the Partnership for funding for the parking garage. She was told that one avenue for funding the Congressman’s office is looking at is the Transportation Appropriations bill. Ms. Paterson said that she and Ms. van Zelm will deliver the state Urban Action Grant that includes a funding request for the parking garage, Storrs Road, and relocation assistance to State Senator Don Williams’ office and DECD.
Mr. Cole-Chu updated the Board on the relocation plan. He said the plan is basically completed and ready to be submitted as part of the MDP. The cost estimate is approximately $560,000 to relocate 19 businesses. The relocations will not start until closer to construction. Mr. Cole-Chu said the relocation plan is following state law with respect to relocation policy.
Mr. Callahan invited Board members to attend the Finance and Administration Committee meeting on September 18 to review the relocation plan, and other issues related to the MDP.
7. Committee Reports
Ms. Paterson said the Festival on the Green Committee is looking for a few more sponsorships for the Festival. She said that fireworks will be on the Saturday evening before the Festival at Mansfield Hollow Dam.
Ms. Paterson noted that the Town trash bills included a notice about the Festival and she commended Mansfield Town Recycling Coordinator Ginny Walton for her efforts.
Steve Bacon said the Planning and Design Committee has been hard at work on the design and sustainability guidelines. The Committee’s review is substantially complete. Mr. Toledano said he thought there would be two more meetings with the Committee on the guidelines. Mr. Pepin asked if the Committee could receive 11 by 17 color copies of the design guidelines for easier review.
8. Other
Janet Jones noted that she thought the Store 24 business block was looking empty. She was wondering about the possibility of erecting signage to indicate that the development is coming soon. Mr. Callahan said this was a good point and suggested some guidance from the Mansfield Town Attorney as to what could be done regarding signage. Ms. van Zelm can work with the Advertising and Promotion Committee on what is legally allowable re: signage and what would be aesthetically pleasing.
Mr. Callahan noted that another milestone had been achieved with the press conference today with Senator Lieberman and his announcement of $2.5 million in streetscape improvements on Storrs Road. He acknowledged the decision to not move forward with the MDP until the master developer was on board. The master developer, LeylandAlliance, has been a good partner. The achievement of obtaining federal funding continues to build confidence in the project.
Howard Kaufman thanked Ms. Paterson, Town Manager Marty Berliner and Ms. van Zelm for their efforts and support to obtain federal funding. It is a team effort and very much appreciated.
9. Adjourn
Al Hawkins made a motion to adjourn. Betsy Paterson seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm.
Meeting notes taken by Cynthia van Zelm.