Tanya Gailus

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August, 2017

Tanya Gailus's projects

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Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 6 months ago
Tree preservation: May 9th draft, http://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14035/Draft-Plan-Section-4-CM-Track-Edits-5-9-18 section 4.4, Goal 5- pp 71-72 says "consider ways to encourage development to include more street trees..." Street trees- ie public shade trees- already have protection under State laws. It is the private property trees that need more encouragement for preservation. Similarly, section 4.6, on page 102, Goal 1, new item 4 "Provide incentives and support for the creation and protection of natural habitat on private lands" needs to include to consider an expanded Tree Preservation Bylaw to protect trees on private property through regulations and incentives.
Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 6 months ago
Economic vitality and FBB related: *Members of the public* should be included in the leasing team described in the May 9th draft version, section 4.2, goal 1, step 3 (page 23). Current version: "A leasing team would be established with property owners, commercial brokers, businesses, and Town economic development efforts to work together to market and lease-up vacant space." The public in Concord subsidizes businesses through equal tax rates. Residents deserve a say in what businesses they want in town without requiring additional incentives for commercial property owners.
Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 7 months ago
About growth: Co-chair Gary K. said at CLRPC meeting on April 27 that the committee would be "agnostic" about growth. It makes sense that one can not know in advance whether or not there will be growth, and furthermore, that some is likely to happen. However, the value statement starts out stating that Concord "seeks sustainable growth" -- which is not an agnostic (or neutral) statement.
Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 7 months ago
About Formula Business Bylaw: CLRPC co-chairs said at LWV meeting on 5/4 that they would leave it to the Planning Board to decide whether it was appropriate, just as the PB had one in place for West Concord. However, it was not the Planning Board which initiated the WC effort a few years back. It was the WC Advisory Comm - ie it took citizen action. It is inconsistent with the envision project's authentic participation tenet not to heed the many voices asking for a Formula Business Bylaw just because some commercial property owners (not surprisingly) oppose it. The idea should at least be articulated in the Plan. As for a proposal by John B. of the CLRPC that an incentive plan may be more effective whereby property owners get reduced taxes if they rent to a non formula business: Businesses in Concord are already subsidized by the community by paying the same tax rate as residential. The proposal would mean commercial properties would pay even less tax than residential! We have zoning bylaws about many other things, such as an ordinary resident not being able to run a business - say a cafe - out of their home. Why not consider other zoning? FBBylaw has not been my primary area of interest, but I was disappointed by the weak and unconvincing arguments given by the co-chairs in explaining why the matter is not part of the final plan.
Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 7 months ago
If it's not too late, the term "street trees" in 4.6 introduction, page 13, middle paragraph, should be "neighborhood trees". The character of neighborhoods in Concord relies on trees on private property as well as public street trees. Relatedly: A future revisiting of the Tree Preservation Bylaw to improve it to include "significant trees" and more detailed ecological considerations should be considered. This has been mentioned on this site, in public discussions of the Tree Preservation Bylaw by various residents (including pre-Town Meeting 2017), and also some members of the Planning Board.
Commented on Envision Concord 5 years, 7 months ago
Sustainability and climate resiliency matters received strong support during Town Meeting, and the committee is deliberating on these aspects with more focus, and also is open to public input in all areas. Please try to attend the Public Hearing on April 25, 7 pm, and also peruse the documents on the CLRPC's webpage, including previous and current meeting documents. http://concordma.gov/1067/Comprehensive-Long-Range-Plan-Comm