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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-21 Master Plan Advisory Committee Minutes i i Approved October 5, 2017 North Andover Master Flan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -- September 21, 2017 Present: Scott Hammond, Norma Lochmann, Christina Minicucci, Diane O'Connor, Erin Stevens, David Stroh, Tom Zahoruiko Absent: Gary Sidell, John Watters Staff: Jean Enright, Eric Kfoury Consultants: Eric Halvorsen (RKG) • The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. Agenda Items: 1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: Ms. O'Connor moved to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Hammond seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 2. RKG Associates Review of Draft Existing Conditions Report a. Report overview • Mr. Halvorsen of RKG discussed the draft existing conditions report which was made available to the Committee. RKG would like to have a discussion on each of the sections once comments are received from the Committee on October 6". • The Committee will use a matrix to provide its detailed comments on the report sections to RKG. • Various schedule dates were reviewed: Committee submits comments by 1018 - RKG returns revised report to the Committee by 10112 Discussion of revision at 10/19 meeting, including possible public release date Report draft to be made available on the web site approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the November 2, 2017 Public Forum b. Report discussion NA MPAC Minutes 2 of 3 September 21, 2017 • Discussion was centered the high level, initial impressions of Committee members with the report, which the consultant team should expect to find in the detailed comments that members will provide. Members expressed some concern for the presentation of the data and any preconceived conclusions relating to data in the narrative. The example that was cited was population age data in the demographics section of the draft report, which as presented may lead to unintended emphasis. Members suggested that conclusionary statements in the narrative be avoided so as to let readers come to their own conclusion. • The consultant explained the difficulty in presenting data from multiple sources and some constraints in importing such data. The consultant team will continue to investigate data sources to enhance the report charts. • A comment was made that context or definition needed to be given in certain instances, particularly where terms are used that are common in the planning community but nor the general public at large. The example given was the descriptions of the various types of zoning without a context. • The question was asked if each section would have an appropriate introduction, as well as an introduction for the report itself. The consultant gave assurances that this information would be in the report. 3. Public Engagement Strategy • The Committee asked again about the format for the public forum, specifically the members' roles. It was reiterated that each "station" would have one Committee member and one consultant, with the consultant taking the lead role in engaging with the public. 4. Communications Update • Ms. Lochmann gave an update of the engagement and communications plan. - There was no update on using the town's portable message boards to remind residents of the public forum. - It has been challenging to engage seniors. So far, discussions at the Senior Center have not yielded a workable plan; in addition, each of the other facilities —Ashland Farms, Brightview, Edgewood, and Meetinghouse Commons— may need to be approached individually. - Reaching Merrimack College students is also a challenge and having someone to contact there would be helpful as we can learn best way to communicate with the student body. A possible contact name was mentioned by Eric Kfoury. - The Committee discussed handing out flyers at the Fall Festival and Farmers Market for the remaining Sundays until the market closes; one possibility is to put flyers in the complimentary bags handed out at the market each week; members were also asked if they'd like to help. NA MPAC Minutes 3 of 3 September 21, 2017 - Mr. Watters made contact with PTO presidents, but given his absence, there was no feedback about using some rooms in a school for the follow-up sessions to the November public forum. - The Stevens Estate has been reserved for the follow-up sessions to be held on November 8th and November 16" Contact was made with the priest at St. Michael church. • Event flyer: Town Staff distributed a final version of the flyer for the public forum event, The Committee suggested several minor corrections. A question was raised about shortening the URI. for the sign-up, but it was decided to keep it the way it is. Based on the suggestions and corrections, a number of color copies were printed and handed out to the Committee. • Lawn sign: Mr. Hammond presented several variations on possible "lawn" signs announcing the Public Forum on November 2"d. - The Committee discussed color, font size, and wording. Members decided on a final version. - Based on the Committee's agreement on a sign design, 40 signs will be ordered so as to have them in time to put up around town well in advance of the Public Forum. 5. Miscellaneous Items • The Committee briefly discussed the recent news of a proposal to Amazon for their alternate headquarters. 6. Public Comment: The floor was opened for public comment, none was offered. Mr. Stroh made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Minicucci. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Next meeting: October 5", 2017 Meeting handouts: • Draft meeting minutes, 9/7/2017 [Staff] • Public Forum Flyer [Staff] • Draft Public Forum "lawn" sign samples [S. Hammond] • Updated Draft Media Kit [Staff] • Updated Communications Plan [Staff]