Crabtree: Saugus to work on fixing weaknesses in wake of presentation

SAUGUS – It was no surprise to Saugus community members that the town?s slow permitting process and traffic congestion were determined to be its top two weaknesses.After compiling data over the last several months, Barry Bluestone of Northeastern University?s Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy presented his findings on what Saugus? strengths and weaknesses are in terms of economic development. After surveying business location specialists, Bluestone concluded two of the top factors for attracting business were how a municipality marketed itself and how quickly it processed permits for development – two areas where Saugus was lacking.According to Bluestone?s data, Saugus takes four weeks longer than other communities to process site plan reviews and zoning variances, and eight weeks longer to review the appeals process.About 30 people attended the presentation at Town Hall, with representation of town officials, boards and business, and many nodded at Bluestone?s evaluation. The same permitting complaint was raised from developers and board members in December during one of Bluestone?s public surveying sessions.?Companies thinking about expanding or moving here are going to start looking, and you want them to be in town of Saugus,” said Bluestone.Bluestone suggested that for boards to streamline the process of permitting, the town should first compile a checklist of all necessary steps needed to gain permits, then allow developers to apply for them online. Then, the town should hold a meeting once a month where developers can appear before all necessary boards at once to gain approval.Bluestone said streamlining the permitting process and marketing the town were the “low-hanging fruit” that the town should be focused on first, compared to traffic congestion, which was less of a town-controlled issue. He did suggest that the town “consult a transportation expert to alleviate congestion.”Bluestone also spoke at length at the importance of attracting younger people to live in the town. According to Bluestone?s projections based on census data, Saugus was expected to have senior citizens making up a third of its population by 2030. “Someone will have to pay taxes and it won?t be the older people,” said Bluestone.He said by creating more multi-unit housing and public transportation, it would attract more people in their 20s who cannot afford a single-family home.Town Manager Scott Crabtree said after the presentation that with Bluestone?s analysis, the town will make a plan to first make changes to improve its weak areas, then make a marketing plan to attract businesses and younger residents. Crabtree said he wholeheartedly agreed with Bluestone that “Doing nothing is a policy,” and it was not a policy that he agreed with.Economic Development Coordinator Robert Luongo said Bluestone?s analysis and suggestions will be posted for the public to review on the town?s website in the next week.