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Board weighs consultant proposal to update Post Office Square design guidelines
Summary
The Planning Board reviewed a proposal from Innes Land Strategies to update 1990s-era design guidelines for Post Office Square, discussed including downtown revitalization and form-based coding in the scope, and directed staff to seek further proposals including contacting Utile if needed.
The Town of Sharon Planning Board opened discussion on a proposal to update design guidelines for Post Office Square, noting the current guidelines date to the 1990s and that recent changes, including the MBTA Community Act, affect downtown redevelopment.
Chair Rob Maidman and Assistant Town Engineer Sonal Pai said Pai solicited three consultant responses at a cost of less than $50,000; Emily Innes of Innes Land Strategies indicated interest and was the consultant recommended by staff review. Board members debated how prescriptive the guidelines should be. Alex Schneiderman questioned whether rules would be business friendly; Pat Pannone said "we want to achieve this end result of a vibrant downtown," while Mike Yanovitch argued that "form based zoning is the current buzz word in planning," emphasizing form-focused standards for landscape and architecture.
Vice Chair Oanh Nguyen expressed interest in the consultant's experience with form-based coding, and Chair Maidman said he would add language to the scope to identify business opportunities. He also said he would reach out to Utile (a firm suggested by board members) to request a time/price range; the Board agreed that if Utile declines, a vote on the selected consultant could proceed via email.
Board discussion focused on balancing design standards with economic development goals; no formal consultant contract vote was taken at the meeting.
