The Council of Economic Advisors, which was created by the Board of Selectmen to evaluate town-wide economic conditions and make recommendations to promote and encourage new and existing businesses, is undertaking review of the Mixed Use-128 Zoning District. 

Through its Mixed Use-128 Subcommittee, the council invites the community to participate in their fact-finding symposium. They want to know what the town can do to make the district more competitive and economically desirable. 

The council will meet at the Needham Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Ave., in the Charles River Room on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. They anticipate a discussion of one to one-and-one-half hours each morning.

Community members are encouraged to choose the date most convenient for them and join in the conversation; it isn’t necessary to come both mornings unless you wish to.

The subcommittee will be focusing on numerous factors affecting economic development, including access, traffic, infrastructure gaps or problems, rental and land costs, zoning use and dimensional regulations, permitting issues and amenities. They will also seek input on whether the town should be encouraging mixed commercial development (office, retail, consumer service, manufacture, research and development, restaurant, etc.) or mixed-use residential and commercial. 

They will reopen the dialog with respect to the Residential Overlay originally envisioned as part of the Mixed Use-128 District in the Goody Clancy Report of 2001.

The CEA encourages public participation in the process and the success of the symposium is dependent upon it. Anyone with further questions, thoughts or suggestions, can call Economic Development Director Devra G. Bailin by phone at 781-455-7500 ext. 213 or by e-mail at dbailin@needhamma.gov. Those who are unable to attend either of the dates can feel free to submit their comments in writing.