Franklin Matters: FM #452 Economic Development SubComm Mtg

Saturday, February 6, 2021

FM #452 Economic Development SubComm Mtg - 02/03/21 (audio)

FM #452 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 452 in the series.

This shares the Economic Development Committee meeting that was held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with many others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs about an hour and eight minutes (~68 mins) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsJsQlRS

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Meeting agenda including bylaw revision for food trucks
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_revised_2-3-2021.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/economic-development-subcommittee_5.html

Quick Recap:

Very enlightening listening session this time. Good info gleaned from participants all around. Food trucks are not inanimate objects, they have people and families to support behind them
Where did the 25% requirement for tasting space come from; the manufacturing bylaw allows 25% for a manufacturer to have that amount of space for a retail operation
Tasting rooms as designed in the bylaw are shifting to be more than that per some of the participants; what should they have, how should they be operated, how can the service be 'safe'....
Food requirement for tasting makes sense but then brings complications, patio space outside counted against space requirements, which then drive capacity and parking; need to be careful of making changes without considering other effects especially unintended ones
the food truck experience is not the same as a table service, should not be considered competitive, they are distinctly different
No pun intended but there is plenty of food for thought here, more to come as the info is reviewed and solution or options designed for next discussion (TBD)

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZAY5RwEoNGH37wt8

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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