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New Business Development working group launched; members named and right‑to‑know guidance given
Summary
The Planning Commission’s business development working group has launched and held an initial meeting; commissioners named new auxiliary and full working‑group members and borough counsel advised the group to operate as if records will be subject to right‑to‑know law.
The Planning Commission’s business development working group held its first meeting on March 18 and reported progress to the full commission on March 25. Megan (Planning Commission member and working‑group lead) and staff listed appointed members and described next steps for business outreach and data collection.
Megan described the group’s intent to balance business and resident perspectives and to move quickly on practical initiatives such as a business directory, outreach and small infrastructure items. She asked that two applicants who missed the initial appointment deadline — Danielle Oriola (owner, Rooted Hair Studio) and Angela Tempest (owner, Tempest Originals Custom Carpentry) — be added to the working group; members present confirmed the working group may appoint its own members and indicated those additions were acceptable.
Mandy Culhane, retained counsel from GRB Law, advised the working group that it should proceed “as if their documents would be public records,” explaining that many committee outputs and submitted materials could be subject to Right‑to‑Know requests and that members should expect transparency. “Our recommendation is that they proceed as if documents will be subject to public records,” Culhane said. She added that members’ personal notes or working drafts may have limited protection but that agendas and submitted documents should be prepared with the possibility of public disclosure in mind.
The working group’s roster as reported to the commission included small business owners and residents: Danielle Oriola (Rooted Hair Studio), Jennifer Shorthouse (Blue Snail gift shop), Nick and Abby Kelly (Fig Tree), Angela Tempest (Tempest Originals), Joey Booker (auxiliary member; real estate agent with ties to the Ingram‑side shopping plaza), Heidi Munn, Logan Drew, Greg Wozniak, and Kristen Scholey. Commissioners discussed the value and transparency of including an auxiliary member who has business ties on the Ingram side of the shopping plaza; Planning Commission members said an auxiliary role that is disclosed to the public would be acceptable given the member’s local knowledge.
Megan said the group will meet again in April and will brief members on right‑to‑know obligations and next steps for outreach, a business directory and initial marketing and site‑improvement recommendations.
Ending: The working group will continue its outreach and data work, brief new members on Right‑to‑Know obligations, and return recommendations to the Planning Commission for formal consideration.
