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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-11 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes MINUTES: MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE: July 11,2022 In Attendance: Members Jonathan Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook(Vice Chair), Stan Limpert, Sean McDonough, Hollie Williams, George Koehler, and Eitan Goldberg Absent: Chris Nobile Staff:Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development) Jonathan Strauss called the meeting to order at 6:03pm. Public Comment Jon Strauss asked Andrew Shapiro if he had received any comments from the public. Mr. Shapiro said that no comments had received. Mr. Strauss had not received any either. No members of the public were present at the meeting to provide comment. Approval of minutes from the May 9, 2022 meeting Eitan Goldberg made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Hollie Williams seconded the motion. All who were present voted in favor(unanimous). Recap of Town Meeting MPIC Presentation Jonathan Strauss provided this recap noting that the Committee had not taken a specific position on the Royal Crest project, but had evaluated it against certain strategies in the Master Plan that were deemed relevant to the project. He provided that information at Town Meeting. Old Business • Continued discussion of updates to the MPIC Implementation Web Page o Determination of additional information desired and/or recommendations to pursue Andrew Shapiro provided updates to the Committee about progress to Master Plan Strategies and where they had been updated on the Committee's Master Plan Implementation website. Shapiro noted that strategies that had been recently updated were marked in green,whereas strategies that have yet to be updated are marked in red. Some of the updates discussed: Focus new development and zoning changes along key commercial corridors that may be more appropriate for higher-density mixed-use development at key nodes or intersections: The redevelopment of 4191435 Andover Street(former Ethan Allen building) adjacent to Bertucci's, into two structures totaling approximately 10,800 square feet now houses an urgent care facility, drive thru bank, and drive thru coffee shop. This project was completed in the May of 2022. - Updated 511912022 Update zoning to ensure that deed restricted affordable housing is provided as a component of new market-rate residential development projects: At Annual Town Meeting 2022, the Town passed Article 27, which approved a new inclusionary zoning bylaw. Among other provisions, it states that any proposed project that includes more than seven (7)rental or ownership housing units on a parcel or contiguous parcel shall include at least 15 percent of the total housing units as affordable units on the some site, at a different site, or pay a fee toward affordable housing. This also achieves a strategy(#8) as outlined in the Town's 2018 Housing Production Plan (page 50). - Updated 5119122 Identify financial and staff resources to facilitate the construction and/or preservation of affordable housing in North Andover: The Town's Fiscal Year2023 budget, which was passed at Annual Town Meeting in May of 2022, includes funding to pay for a part-time Housing Specialist under the Community and Economic Development Division. This position, among other duties, would oversee the Town's efforts to facilitate construction and preservation of affordable housing in North Andover. - Updated May 23, 2022 Shapiro noted that he is still seeking an update to the following strategy related to housing: Utilize CPA and Housing Trust funds to offset housing costs for households at the lowest income brackets (households up to 30 percent of Area Median Income). He inquired with George Koehler as to whether he could provide any updates before the next meeting. Continue to review the impact of new housing development on the Town's public infrastructure and services: The Town hired Vanasse&Associates to perform at town-wide travel time assessment(traffic study) that takes into consideration current conditions and future projects, including a proposed redevelopment of Royal Crest, which was ultimately voted down at Annual Town Meeting 2022. That study was completed in May of 2022. Click here for a presentation that covers study findings. - Updated 611122 Eitan Goldberg noted that the study referenced would be updated after the Minco and Avalon housing developments are completed so as to gauge their collective impact. The Town hired Weston &Sampson to examine its current and projected future water capacity. The analysis, which was completed in January of 2022, takes into account planned developments, including a proposed redevelopment of Royal Crest, which was ultimately voted down at Annual Town Meeting 2022. It notes that "...the Town's annual average withdrawal is below the WMA permitted limit and is projected to stay below that limit for the next 10 years based on the DCR withdrawal projections. The evaluation of future/proposed development the Town is aware of predicted a 4%increase in Town demand. When compared to the DCR predictions, this predicted demand is comparable to the predictions in withdrawal." The full report can be viewed by clicking here. - Updated 6/1122 Shapiro then noted that Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit(ADU) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels—had not yet been addressed. He explained that the Town does have a "Family Suite" ordinance that provides certain property owners the opportunity to build out a unit for a family member, but that others could not occupy it. An ADU bylaw could open up the opportunity to provide additional forms of housing to more people. Members of the Committee engaged in a discussion about the merits and detracting factors of introducing such a bylaw. Shapiro noted and Goldberg confirmed that the Planning Board at one point had considered taking up discussion of a potential ADU bylaw, but due to the number of issues they were dealing with at the time, opted not to. Shapiro explained that the MPIC had provided a recommendation to the Select Board and Planning Board to move forward on consideration of an inclusionary zoning bylaw, and that given that an ADU bylaw was the other major strategy outlined in the Master Plan that addresses housing affordability,that the Committee could also consider advancing it as a suggested initiative to take on. Goldberg suggested that the Planning Director provide an update to the Committee on the issue. George Koehler noted that he sees an ADU bylaw as the next major challenge in terms of housing for the Town to take on and Stan Limpert expressed that he feels that the strategy is the most important one for the Town to address. Shapiro then continued providing updates to the Committee on Master Plan Strategies, moving on to the Economic Development section. He noted that Strategy 30: In partnership with the City of Lawrence, evaluate the economic impacts of the Lawrence Municipal Airport to determine options for maximizing economic benefits to both communities—had not yet been addressed. He said that he would try to provide an update to this strategy at the Committee's next meeting. Shapiro then provided updates regarding Historic, Cultural, and Natural Resources strategies, beginning with Strategy 77: Organize clean-up days for historic burial grounds and clean-up/community service days at the Historical Society properties. He noted that Hollie Williams relayed to him the following update: The Historical Society is developing a productive relationship with the Youth Center. Groups have come over every 4-6 weeks to complete work that benefits the Society, mainly on projects requiring a little guidance and many hands. Youth groups have unpacked tables and chairs, moved exhibit cases and inventory from one place to another, done general building and yard cleanup work, helped move the library and archive, and otherwise provided significant support. As similar projects are identified the Historical Society will contact the Youth Center-services will be retained on 'as needed'basis. - Updated 6110122 Some on the Committee expressed that institutions representing historic preservation interests in town seem fragmented. Shapiro explained that Strategy 73: Create a local Historic Preservation Master Plan to identify resources for stronger protection of historic resources, improvements to strengthen effectiveness of existing historic and neighborhood conservation districts, and protection of historic town records—could address this issue. He noted that grant funds could be sought to move forward on such an initiative. The Committee then agreed to schedule the next meeting for August 16t" at 6pm. Adjournment Jon: Request for a motion to adjourn. Sean McDonough: So motioned. Meredith Barnes-Cook: Seconded. Motion was unanimous in the affirmative.