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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-30 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes November 30, 2022 Attending: (in person): Stan Limpert, George Koehler, Sean McDonough, Jimmy Wefers, Eitan Goldberg, and Richard Vaillancourt Absent: Jon Strauss, Meredith Barnes-Cook, Hollie Williams Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development), Jean Enright (Planning Director) Call To Order Stam Limpert, acting as Chair for this meeting in the absence of both Chair Jon Strauss and Vice-Chair Meredith Barnes-Cook, called the meeting to order. Public Comment No public comments were received by Andrew Shapiro by the time the meeting had started and no members of the public were present to offer comments. Approval of October 27. 2022 Meeting Minutes Eitan Goldberg moved to approve the minutes as presented. Richard Vaillancourt seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor,motion passed. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page Andrew Shapiro provided an overview of the website for the new Committee Members. Updates that Shapiro included: Strategy 56- Continue to push for a new MBTA commuter rail station at the Osgood Landing site if and when a redevelopment proposal is in place that matches the community's vision and goal for the site. • Shapiro explained that the Town received an earmark through the State's Economic Development Bond Bill in the amount of$75,000 to fund a feasibility study that will look at if and where the town could potentially accommodate a new MBTA Commuter Rail station/stop. Strategy 63 -Assess feasibility of Stevens Pond as a year-round recreational area with ice skating, along with kayak,paddleboard, and sailing lessons and rentals. • Shapiro explained that he reached out to Youth and Recreation Services Director Rick Gorman on this issue and was informed that North Andover Middle and High School students are utilizing Stevens Pond outside of summer months -primarily in September- for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding programs run through the schools. Currently, the Town does not own sailboats for use in sailing lessons. If it were to ever pursue the implementation of sailing lessons, it would need to do so in coordination with the Water Department, in order to ensure that any activity does not negatively affect water quality. Strategy 67: Develop a conceptual plan for the North Andover Rail Trail that could then be designed and funded in sections over time. • In November 2022, the Town again contracted with Stantec to continue planning and design of this Rail Trail. This portion of the contract covers completion of a project scope and preliminary trail path, which will be based on public and abutter feedback and submitted to MassDOT for further review. o Limpert asked where the trail will run. Shapiro noted that it will run from the High School driveway on Osgood Street to the intersection of Dale Street and Marbleridge Road. Strategy 69: Continue to consider the creation of more athletic fields to support youth sports including po ten tialfor use ofprivate property. • On November 2, 2022, as part of the fields master planning process, the Town held a public meeting to give members of the public the opportunity to share their input on the condition, availability, and effectiveness of the town athletic fields in meeting the community's needs. 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. • In November of 2022, the Town's Community and Economic Development Department, in cooperation with the Historical Commission, submitted a letter of intent(LOI)to the Massachusetts Historical Commission's (MHQ Survey and Planning Grant Program. The LOI notes the Town's intent to utilize any funds granted to procure a qualified consultant that will help the Town develop a Historic Preservation Plan. Shapiro noted that the Town should receive a response from MHC by mid-December, as to whether the Town should proceed in submitting a full application. The grant would require the Town to match the grant at 5 0%. Strategy 86: Support and/or expand resources to address the needs of residents of all ages suffering from substance abuse and mental health challenges. • In November of 2022, the Town's Select Board approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) funding to provide Town staff with wellness programming. The program will provide an interactive, educational, and in-person program for staff over four(4) sessions/programs, and will include the following components: The impact of Covid upon professional lives and personal mental health; specific focus on loss, depression, and anxiety; discussion about the stigma of mental health, how and when to reach out and access support, and how to support a colleague/friend; listing of town and local resources that support mental health; specific focus on self-care—what it is, why it is important, and what it might look like for each participant. Shapiro concluded his updates and asked the Committee if it had any updates it wanted to provide, or had any questions. Mr. Koehler noted that Strategy 19, regarding creation of an Accessory Dwelling Unit(ADU)bylaw, could be updated to note progress. Ms. Enright explained that the Planning Board appointed Member Alissa Keonig to a working group on the issue, in response to the Select Board identifying this issue as a goal for fiscal year 24. Mr. Limpert inquired about downtown revitalization efforts. Shapiro explained that there are a couple of components in progress. One is that Community Development/Planning is working with a planning consultant on drafting new potential zoning for downtown, which responds to Strategy#2 of the Master Plan. A draft is being developed for discussion purposes and community engagement will continue on this issue. The hope is that new zoning can attract additional investment to the downtown and potentially assist the Town in its efforts to comply with the State's revised Zoning Act(section 3A, pertaining to "MBTA Communities" and a requirement to provide new opportunities for by-right multi-family housing). Shapiro continued by noting that the Community Development/Planning Departments would be seeking funding through the Town's ARPA allocation and the Columbia Gas Municipal Discretionary Fund to pay for engineering services to design/engineer the conceptual designs for downtown streetscape improvements that were recently developed. Continued discussion regarding Master Plan Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. Jean Enright explained that the Select Board had recently added exploration of an ADU Bylaw to its goals for the fiscal year 2024, which gives the issue a good push to move forward. She will be working with the Planning Board to place a discussion about the issue on its next agenda. Mr. Vaillancourt inquired about the definition of an ADU. Mr. Goldberg explained that it is a dwelling unit, accessory and subordinate to a single family home. There are various iterations of these types of units, including inside a home, attached to a home, or as a separate structure on the same lot. Ms. Enright noted that it would be helpful to have a working group formed, with the guidance of the Planning Board, to discuss what aspects of a potential ADU bylaw would be amenable to a broad cross section of the general public (i.e. dimensions, whether units could be built over separate garages, etc.). Shapiro noted that the Town last year voted to approve an inclusionary zoning bylaw and that a potential ADU bylaw is the other major housing related policy that the Master Plan suggests that the Town should consider. New Business Mr. Shapiro informed the Committee that the Select Board voted to allow the Committee to report on a bi-annual basis as opposed to on a quarterly basis. A discussion then took place regarding how to address some of the Master Plan Strategies that have not yet been addressed. Ms. Enright suggested that the Committee could reprise subcommittees to look at overarching areas of the Master Plan and to engage with appropriate Town officials who are responsible for carrying out those strategies. Mr. Limpert suggested that a list of the "red labeled" strategies be compiled. Mr. Limpert also suggested that perhaps the Committee could meet less frequently. Mr. Shapiro said that could be a discussion at a future meeting. Adjournment: Eitan Goldberg moved to adjourn, and Sean McDonough seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.