From the Medfield Energy Committee – Learn the details of the draft Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). At the annual town meeting (ATM) last year the town voted as a town goal to have the town achieve Net Zero by 2050, and since then the Medfield Energy Committee has been working diligently to plan out how that can get done. A draft Climate Action Plan is now ready for release and to share. Participate in this interactive workshop this Thursday, May 19 at 7 PM to craft the final details of the Climate Action Plan for your town.
Posted onMay 3, 2022|Comments Off on TOMCAP release imminent – Workshop on 5/19
TOMCAP, the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan, has been drafted & will be available for public comment soon.
A public workshop on TOMCAP will be facilitated by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on May 19th at 7PM in the Dale Street School cafeteria. All Medfield residents are invited to learn about the plan and comment on it before it is finalized.
Comments Off on TOMCAP release imminent – Workshop on 5/19
– R K Medfield, LLC (owner/applicant) seeks the following relief from the PB: RK Medfield, LLC (owner/applicant) seeks Site Plan Approval for the project known as “Chipotle.” The proposed project is includes the construction of a new 2,325 +/- sf building on the northwestern corner of the site, as well as associated sidewalks, landscaped areas, stormwater management components, utilities, and an outdoor seating patio. Minor parking modifications to include ADA parking are also proposed. The property is located at 230 Main Street (at the Shaws Plaza which is the subject of Site Plan Approvals from January 29, 1979 and November 23, 1987.
PB APPLICATION: http://ma-medfield.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Index/691 – R K Medfield, LLC (owner/applicant) seeks the following relief from the ZBA: 1) A Special Permit under the Medfield Zoning Bylaw (the “Bylaw”) – 300 Attachment 1 :3 Sec. 4.2 to allow the construction of a building for use as a restaurant in the northwest corner of locus on an area that is currently a grass slope. 2) A Special Permit under Bylaw Sec. 300-8.2.G that the proposed parking to be provided for the new restaurant building will be adequate. 3) As an alternative to item #2 above, a Variance from the parking requirements of Article 8 to allow the proposed parking to be provided for the new restaurant building will be adequate. 4) A Special Permit under Bylaw Sec. 300-9.1.C.(3) to allow the expansion of the existing nonconforming property where the existing maximum lot coverage already exceeds the 40% limit set forth in Bylaw Sec. 300-16.8.A.(2)(a) so that the maximum impervious lot coverage will change from the current 64.5% to a proposed 65.5%.
The property is the subject of ZBA Decision Nos. 309 (1979) and 874 (2001).
The property is located at 230 Main Street (at the Shaws Plaza) in the B Zoning District with Partial Secondary Aquifer Overlay and is shown on Assessors’ map 51 as lot 058.
o No comment o Comments below (or attached):
See links for Applications, site plans, arch plans, sign plans, stormwater report, traffic report
Sarah Raposa, AICP Town Planner 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052 Office Phone: (508) 906-3027 Work Cell: (339) 206-1773 sraposa@medfield.net www.town.medfield.net
The Medfield Planning Board is pleased to approve the Medfield Master Plan and sincerely thanks the Townwide Master Planning Committee members as well as the hundreds of residents, town board/committee/commission members, and staff that participated in the nearly two-year process. The Board is in the planning stages of developing a “master plan summit” meeting where pertinent town entities can periodically assess the Plan’s progress with implementation, and make adjustments, as necessary.
A VISION FOR MEDFIELD’S FUTURE: A Medfield that…
…retains its small-town feeling, even enhances the community’s feeling of being close knit, by welcoming newcomers and increasing communication between the Town and its residents, holding more festivals and events and using social media to communicate and stay connected.
… has created a range of formal opportunities for people to meet, to involve themselves in athletic and non-sports activities in a new and expanded Recreation Center/ Community Center, which provides family activities, and programs and other opportunities to for the community to gather. Intergenerational interaction is encouraged. Additional programs geared at older adults and teens support their specific needs for socializing and recreating.
… has continued to improve its downtown so that it is a vibrant living room for the Town’s residents to dine, shop and run into each other. The center has become more pleasing aesthetically and presents an improved pedestrian experience.
… reuses its vacated State Hospital and it is now a vibrant and vital part of the Town. The chapel has been converted to a cultural and arts center, the historic buildings have been renovated for a variety of uses, and the historic landscape provides opportunities for recreation including hiking, kayaking on the Charles River and enjoyment of the beautiful views.
… preserves and promotes its historic features by protecting historic structures and telling and promoting Medfield’s unique stories in a number of ways.
… connects and acquires additional open space and it is made available to residents for passive and active recreation. Natural features such as woods and lakes are protected for residents to enjoy.
…addresses traffic safety and congestion issues by providing alternatives to travel by automobile including safe and pleasant pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as well as public transportation options.
… continues to support excellence in education by maintaining state-of-the-art schools and supporting the library in its efforts to provide life long learning and programing for all ages.
… attracts residents from diverse socio-economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds, celebrates this diversity, enriching the lives of all its residents.
… supports older adults who wish to age in place by expanding programming that provide opportunities for socializing, health and wellness, and transportation. Also provides appropriately designed and located, smaller and moderately priced housing units in which to downsize.
… provides a variety of housing types that are attractive to young adults, those who live with a disability, seniors, and others wishing to live independently or common quarters.
… diversifies its tax base so that more funding is available to pay for updating and expanding facilities and services, local jobs are created and more establishments locate in Town to expand the available goods and services and “things to do.”
…supports the expansion of its cultural and arts community, making it more accessible to all and integrating it into the Town’s creative economy.
…provides wholesome activities for teens, including places for them to “hang out,” activities and programs that help them reduce stress and prevent substance abuse and other unhealthy behaviors.
… attains sustainability and future resiliency goals including becoming carbon zero, increases its use of renewable energy sources, continues to recycle, is mindful of water usage, and implements other measures to protect the environment and mitigate for negative impacts of climate change.
…improves transparency and communication in town government and continues to engage citizens in decision-making and recruits a broader cross-section of volunteers. Public facilities are well-maintained, a preventive maintenance plan is systematically implemented, and state-of-the-art services are provided to all residents.
Sarah Raposa, AICP
Town Planner 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052 Office Phone: (508) 906-3027
Posted onJuly 14, 2021|Comments Off on Post-COVID planning for downtown – please take the survey
From Town Planner, Sarah Raposa –
In December 2020, the Town of Medfield submitted an application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to take part in the Local Rapid Recovery Planning Program (LRRP). The LRRP is intended to provide municipalities in Massachusetts with the opportunity to develop actionable, project-based recovery plans tailored to the unique economic challenges and COVID-19 related impacts to downtowns, town centers and commercial areas across the Commonwealth. Additional information is available on the LRRP website.
There are three phases for this program:
Phase 1 (Diagnostic) was completed from April to June 2021 and included data collection from the study area (see below for a map of the study area, Note: not shown, but the study area includes Basil’s on Frairy Street) to assess the current state of the physical environment and its impacts on customers and businesses and the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses in the study area.
Phase 2 (Project Recommendations) is currently ongoing and involves reviewing data compiled during Phase 1 and obtaining feedback from the community to develop recommendations for projects intended to help Medfield achieve its recovery goals.
Phase 3 (Rapid Recovery Plan Development) will be completed in August 2021 and will involve development of strategic project recommendations based on information gathered in Phases 1 and 2 and best practices collected from communities throughout the Commonwealth and the country. BerryDunn was paired with the Town to serve as Plan Facilitator for the program. On April 14, 2021 a BerryDunn team conducted a site visit of Medfield’s study area. The team collected data on the physical and business environment and presented findings to the Board of Selectmen on June 1, 2021. The BerryDunn team is currently working with Town officials to obtain feedback from the community for Phase 2. Please use the links in the survey to provide your thoughts on the study area, including suggestions for physical improvements, regulatory changes, economic development challenges, or simply your experience as a business owner, employee, customer, resident, or visitor to downtown Medfield.
The LRRP approach considers six facets of downtown economic development including:
Public Realm: streets, sidewalks, public parks and other public spaces
Private Realm: commercial buildings, storefronts, parking lots and open space on private property
Revenue & Sales: strategies for increasing revenue of existing businesses; issues impacting business growth and customer traffic
Administrative Capacity: government regulations, staffing and oversight; organizational management of the district or business association
Culture & Arts: public art, arts and cultural institutions, businesses, events, educational facilities, etc.
Tenants Mix: attraction and retention of businesses and particular business types
Comments, suggestions and ideas are loosely organized in these categories above and can be posted on the Ideas Wall or by using the Study Area Map.
Posted onApril 5, 2021|Comments Off on Town gets $160,500 state grant
The email below came this afternoon from the Department of Housing and Community Development about the Town of Medfield being awarded a $160,500 state grant towards engineering and design of intersection improvements at West Street and Rte. 27 – which needs a better traffic signal.
Medfield
The Town of Medfield will direct funding toward engineering and design of intersection improvements at the Route 27 (North Meadows Road) and West Street intersection.
$160,500
Assistant Town Administrator, Nick Milano tells me that credit is mainly due to Town Planner, Sarah Raposa, qualifying the Town of Medfield under the Choice Community program.
Dear Chair Peterson – Please find attached a copy of the award letter for your community’s FY 21 Housing Choice Community Capital grant. Congratulations, and thank you for all the work you are doing to promote housing production in Massachusetts. Please keep this digital letter, no hard copy will be sent. Here is a link to the Commonwealth’s press release about the grant awards. I expect the grant contract will be sent to you and your staff in the next few weeks. Sincerely, Chris Kluchman______________________________
Chris Kluchman, FAICP
Deputy Director, Community Services Division
DHCD, 100 Cambridge Street, Ste 300
Boston, MA 02114
cell: 857-288-9141 *please use this number until further notice*
Posted onMarch 18, 2021|Comments Off on Survey of downtown businesses
From Town Planner, Sarah Raposa –
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Local Rapid Recovery Plan (LRRP) program includes a survey of local business owners located in the targeted downtowns or commercial districts. The purpose of the survey is to obtain business input to help guide strategy development, garner buy-in from the local business community and provide data from all LRRP participating districts for DHCD to inform programs and policy.
The survey will be administered online and the same survey will be used in all communities. FinePoint Associates. After the survey closes, FinePoint will prepare a summary results report for each community. The report produced will provide results in aggregate form only so that the results will be anonymous. These results will contribute input for the diagnostic phase and help inform plan development.
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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