The Planning Board at its meeting Monday gave feedback on an economic development strategy presented by a representative from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council.

MAPC senior economic development planner Camille Jonlin explained that her agency works on regional planning strategies. It put this plan together in about 14 months, incorporating feedback gleaned from a public survey and meetings with stakeholders and focus groups.

In order for the town to hire an economic development director, Jonlin said the Planning Board needed to review the plan so it could advance to the Select Board for final approval in early October. This has been a town goal.

The plan had six key recommendation areas. The main goal was to support and keep local businesses. Encouraging new businesses to come to Hopkinton was another recommendation, as was growing Hopkinton’s amenities to meet residents’ wants.

The plan also encouraged the town to coordinate its economic development functions more efficiently. Improving transportation options and walkability and promoting the town’s cultural assets were emphasized as important goals.

Jonlin complimented the stakeholders she spoke with, noting that they “are truly so engaged in the town and championing the town’s future.”

One major issue the plan pointed out was the need for redevelopment on South Street. While the vacancy rates aligned with other MetroWest communities, the commercial buildings are in bad shape, Jonlin said.

“Some of Main Street is not as filled in as it could be,” she added as an area for improvement.

A way to attract smaller businesses would be to subdivide large lots, allowing them the space needed to locate there.

Tax impact, downtown addressed

Member Rob Benson questioned Jonlin, asking whether the plan analyzed how much commercial and industrial development the town would need to lower residential tax rates. When Jonlin said the steering committee decided to “move away” from performing “that really full extensive analysis,” Benson criticized the plan’s focus.

Said Benson: “I don’t really know that there’s a viable end point that the town would want [for] this effort.”

He added that the town would need a “massive amount of commercial and industrial development in a very short amount of time” to put a dent in residential tax bills. Doing that would change the suburban nature of the town.

Member Peter Mimmo agreed, noting that people live here because it is a “bedroom community.” But he added that residents also desire a revitalized downtown.

“I think it depends on what people want,” added member Amna Diwan. “If you’re trying to create a more vibrant downtown, then this makes sense.”

Member Parker Happ noted that “big flagship developments,” including the Center School redevelopment project, a cultural district and the International Marathon Center will draw people to Hopkinton. He also spoke of the need for affordable housing and zoning that allowed for taller buildings.

“If that sounds scary, change is scary,” said Happ. “But we need to revisit these things.”

Chair Mathew Wronka said the MAPC plan highlights several strategies that were included in the town’s 2017 master plan that never were implemented.

Said Wronka: “Seeing those repeated, I think, are just calls that we need to focus on that as a town.”

He urged members to review the plan in greater detail.

Meeting on private ways planned

The board unanimously decided to invite the Select Board to its Oct. 5 meeting to discuss creating a plan for the town’s adoption of private ways that seek acceptance.

Wronka said he and principal planner Aneri Patel met with the Select Board last week to discuss the issue, which came to a head at the May 2 Annual Town Meeting.

“I think it’s important for us to meet with them to decide what the plan encompasses and what the ask is actually going to be for us,” he said.

Affordable housing discussed

Vice chair Lucia Lopez initiated a discussion on developing affordable and market-rate housing on a 7-acre parcel off Fruit Street and Pratt Way. Lopez, a member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, said the town-owned parcel previously had been approved for affordable housing by Town Meeting as part of the Fruit Street Master Plan and received Community Preservation Act funding to use toward the development.

This was an initial pass at the issue. Discussion revolved around creating denser housing. Several members voiced a preference for townhouses or condominiums over apartments.

Happ promoted Chapter 40Y zoning for this land. He proposed giving Town Hall employees the right of first refusal for homes there. This would be an incentive to work in Hopkinton and could lower the cost of current benefits packages, he said.

Appointments OK’d

The board unanimously approved the reappointment of Diwan as the board’s representative to the Open Space Preservation Commission for a one-year term.

The board also voted unanimously to approve the applicants to its two subcommittees, the Zoning Advisory Committee and the Design Review Board.

Former Planning Board member Vikasith Pratty was appointed as an at-large ZAC member for a two-year term. Jacqueline Crowe was reappointed to ZAC as an associate member and also to the DRB.

Jeffrey Doherty, Sue-Ellen Stoddard and Jeanette Thomson will maintain their seats on the DRB. Wronka will represent the Planning Board.

ZAC restructured

The board voted unanimously to reduce the number of at-large voting members from five to three after the move was suggested by Wronka. He said ZAC’s membership has “fluctuated wildly” over the past few years.

Wronka added that while there are three open seats, only Pratty and Crowe applied.

When the number of members was last designated in 2018, Wronka said it was set at five at-large members and four who were appointed by committees. There also have been associate members appointed annually who do not have voting privileges unless called into action.

Happ noted that ZAC has had difficulty reaching or maintaining a quorum.

 ANRs approved

The board unanimously authorized Patel to endorse an approval not required request to subdivide 93 Hayden Rowe Street. The back lot, which is not buildable, will be conveyed to an abutter.

The ANR application for 82 Clinton Street was authorized in the same fashion.

Applicant Aaron Stone previously sought to build a house on the rear of the lot, behind a historic home. When the need for supermajority approval was stressed by Wronka at the May 11 meeting, Stone withdrew his application. Stone reapplied, which led to this vote.

Development hearing continued

Wronka announced that the hearings regarding a proposed 13-unit mixed-use housing development off Main and Walcott streets was continued at the request of the applicant.