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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-03 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes April 3, 2023 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook(Vice Chair), George Koehler, Eitan Goldberg, Stan Limpert, Sean McDonough, Hollie Williams Absent: Jimmy Wefers, Richard Vaillancourt Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development), Brian Keating (Assistant Planning Director) Call To Order Chair Jon Strauss called the meeting to order. Public Comment No public comments were received by Jon Strauss or Andrew Shapiro by the time the meeting had started and no members of the public were present to offer comments. Approval of the February 15, 2033 Meeting Minutes The minutes from the last meeting were not ready for the committee to review to vote at this meeting. Jon Strauss motioned to table this until the committee's next meeting. Meredith Barnes-Cook seconded. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Sean McDonough and Hollie Williams were not yet present. 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 Andrew Shapiro included: Strategy 3: 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. • In March of 2023, the Planning Board approved a Site Plan Review Special Permit for 14 2nd Street/ 149 Main Street to construct a new three story mixed-use building consisting of 24 residential units with ground floor commercial space. Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (AD U) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. • The Town is in the process of working with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPQ to update North Andover's Housing Production Plan. This process will examine the issue of creating an ADU bylaw. Strategy 25: Encourage the development of mixed-use buildings which support both residential and commercial uses. • In March of 2023, the Planning Board approved a Site Plan Review Special Permit for 14 2nd Street/ 149 Main Street to construct a new three story mixed-use building consisting of 24 residential units with ground floor commercial space. Strategy 28: Create an inventory/database of available commercial/industrial development sites in the community for marketing/economic development purposes. • In March of 2023, the Town's Department of Community and Economic Development released a new economic development focused website (www.choosenorthandover.com), which among other things, provides a searchable database of available commercial/industrial properties for sale and/or lease. • Andrew Shapiro noted this is a database of the entire Merrimack Valley, with sorting options by zip code, town, building size with filters for property type. It shows data about each community, for example, talent pool details, along with sharing other town updates. There has been a public meeting with the Select Board and it has been added to the Community Development website. It will be added to the town website, a press release is planned and other marketing ideas were discussed, for example, postcards and having this resource appear in Google search results. Strategy 46: Extend high visibility crosswalks to additional intersections and mid-block crossing locations along Main Street and Water Street. and Strategy 48: Look for opportunities to construct curb bump-outs,particularly for mid-block crossing locations along Main Street. • The Town has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to procure the services of a qualified engineering firm for design and engineering of the streetscape improvements outlined in the concepts developed through the Downtown Improvement Master Plan process. Strategy 40: Work with MassDOT to incorporate welcoming and beautification improvements to the anticipated improvement project along Route 114. • Andrew Shapiro noted that MassDOT held a public meeting a few weeks ago that was well attended. The primary change is to the design that will no longer take 3 homes just past Chestnut Green by eminent domain. Andrew Shapiro explained the area is considered an environmental justice census block group, meaning it has a higher proportion of lower tier income or minority community members. The federal government has requirements with their projects that include avoiding eminent domain actions. The design is not yet finalized, and the abutters can engage to revisit the eminent domain decision, as those 3 properties will still be impacted. Etain Goldberg noted this is also an opportunity for the Town to work with MassDOT on design considerations, like trees. Strategy 65: Identify locations and create handicap accessible walking paths in natural areas and create management plans for each conservation area that address access for persons with disabilities. • In March of 2023, the Town issued a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit the services of a qualified consultant to develop an update to the Town's Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), which expires at the end of 2023. A portion of the scope for this project calls for producing an Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) self-assessment and transition plan of all Town-owned outdoor recreational areas (parks, playgrounds, schoolyards, etc.). William inquired about the CPA approving funding for across-country path for the high school. possible approval of a cross country path by the CPA. Andrew Shapiro believes this was approved last year and it has been used. However Andrew Shapiro and Etain Goldberg do not believe it is ADA accessible, based on its intended use. Andrew Shapiro took a note to look for another strategy for paths for the schools. This may fit within Strategy 68. 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. • Andrew Shapiro shared that the Town did not receive the requested grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission's (MHQ Survey and Planning Grant Program. He believes the work can still be accomplished using CPC dollars and other program funds next year. Strategy 74: Complete an Historic Structures Report for the Stevens Estate including outbuildings and landscapes, as well as possible reuse options. • Andrew Shapiro advised that the Town's application for Community Preservation Act Funding (CPA) for $150,000 was approved. This will support needed repairs to the property's Carriage House (Stables), which will stabilize the building. Strategy 80: Develop a partnership between the Town's historic sites,parks, and open spaces and its performing and visual arts programs. and Strategy 81: Partner with Trustees of Reservation and the Historical Society to expand the visibility of North Andover's publicly-accessible historic resources by coordinating events, holding joint house and facilities tours, and collaborating on joint programs and volunteer activities. and Strategy 82: Partner with cultural organizations and nonprofits like Windrush Farm, Rolling Ridge, and Merrimack College to expand cultural programming and events for North Andover residents. • Stan Limpert noted he is meeting with Community Services in April to generate some action on these strategies. Strategy 88: Complete the inventory of shade trees located throughout the Town in order to help identify locations where more might be needed. ■ Andrew Shapiro advised that the Town Manager's recommended FY24 Budget includes $85,100 as part of its Capital Improvement Plan to complete a Tree Inventory and Management Plan. Strategy 102: Actively recruit volunteers that represent a greater gender, age and ethnic diversity. • In February of 2023, the Select Board approved the use of$150,000 in ARPA funding to support the development of a Town-wide equity audit that will look at all Town operations. Hollie Williams asked about the Town's earlier Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Andrew Shapiro confirmed the professional audit, while the full scope is still to be determined, will provide clear recommendations on how the Town can improve in this area. Strategy 99: Make `green" or environmentally friendly improvements to existing Town buildings where feasible, including the use of renewable energy sources such as solar: • Hollie Williams asked if the Youth Center was identified next beyond a green building. Andrew Shapiro and Hollie Williams will follow up on this question. New Business: MPIC Progress Report: Jon Strauss indicated it is time for our next progress report, spanning Q4 2022-Q 12023. Jon Strauss has begun drafting with key topics being committee member changes. Andrew Shapiro recommended referencing the committee meeting minutes to summarize the projects discussed as indication of progress. Committee agreed that Jon Strauss and Andrew Shapiro will have a draft ready to share with the committee at its next meeting. Discussion: updates on current Town projects and initiatives: CPC Projects Approved for Recommendation: Andrew Shapiro shared the project applications that total $2.7M. $677K was recommended for funding and those projects will appear on the Town Meeting Warrant. Andrew Shapiro will cross-reference each recommended project to the Master Plan strategies, to reflect progress. Those updates will be revised based on the actual outcome of the Town Meeting, to reflect which were and were not approved. Downtown—Rezoning and MBTA Communities Compliance: Andrew Shapiro advised the Town is working with a consultant on the rezoning of our downtown that is looking at everything. This includes creating sub districts with different dimensional standards. Because the Town is serviced by or adjacent to a MBTA community, we are required by the state to implement by right multi-family zoning in at least 50 acres of land (25 acres must be contiguous) in North Andover with a new unit capacity of—100 units. Hollie Williams asked if Woodridge contributes to meeting the requirement. Andrew Shapiro indicated it does not. Etain Goldberg noted this does not require creating new housing, rather it is a zoning compliance requirement. Andrew Shapiro indicated the consultant has been asked to consider MBTA Communities Compliance in her Downtown recommendations, with MBTA zoning focused on Sutton Street instead and Main Street. Housing Production Plan Update/Potential ADU Bylaw: Andrew Shapiro advised a few meetings have been held with Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) with a future plan for larger,public conversations. The ADU Bylaw is one of the Master Plan strategies. Etain Goldberg observed it will be useful to track volumes - housing need versus demand, including adjacent communities with an ADU bylaw in place, to continue to measure when have we built enough. 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee: An ARPA application has been submitted for a feasibility study. The resulting recommendations will be presented at Town Meeting in 2024. Old North Pump Station boat launch: CPC funding approved for the boat launch. Bridge over Sutton Pond: CPC funding was denied for a bridge that would be part of the multi-use trail connecting Main Street to High Street. The trail project in its entirety is in the conceptual design phase and public meetings will occur soon. Discussion on reinstatement of working groups to provide updates on Master Plan strategies: The committee is encouraged to review the strategies in red and provide any updates available. Meeting frequency: Jon Strauss asked with monthly or bimonthly going forward. The committee agreed it wants to meet again before Town Meeting. May 1 st selected for the next meeting. Barnes-Cook will be unable to attend. Election of Officers — Chair and Vice Chair Jon Strauss and Barnes-Cook were nominated to continue as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Etain Goldberg moved these nominations, Stan Limpert seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor; the motion passed. Adjournment: Jon Strauss moved to adjourn, and Stan Limpert seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor.