Technical Review Committee
Discussion of proposed surplus and redevelopment of the Bailey/Ordway properties at 5 and 9 School St. — including splitting the 5 School St. lot, transferring rear parking to the library, restoring the Ordway building to a mid‑19th century appearance, and potential for up to eight housing units and eight parking spaces — and briefings on traffic/parking ordinance updates and an Outdoor Dining Ordinance planned for the 2025 season.
The Technical Review Committee met October 29, 2024. The committee approved the August 6, 2024 minutes and then focused on property and ordinance updates. The primary substantive discussion concerned the Bailey/Ordway properties at 5 and 9 School St., where City staff presented an order to surplus those properties. The proposal described splitting the 5 School St. parcel to retain parking behind the building for transfer to the library, restoring the Ordway school building to its mid‑19th century appearance (removing 1980s additions), and allowing up to eight housing units with up to eight associated parking spaces (with an expectation the eventual redevelopment could be four to eight units). Committee members discussed implications for municipal parking and public safety; staff reported ongoing negotiations with a nearby church to secure additional parking and noted the City would retain the remaining property at 13 School St. The fire chief noted that additional public safety facility space will be needed as new development arrives in the city. No final vote on surplus or redevelopment was recorded at this meeting.
Staff also reported work on traffic and parking ordinance updates: the department is preparing clearer listings of fines and street speed limits. An Outdoor Dining Ordinance was introduced with the intent to have it in place before the 2025 season; members were asked to review the provided materials for more detailed discussion at the next meeting. There were no substantive ordinance votes recorded at this meeting.