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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-16 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook(Vice-Chair), Richard Vaillancourt, George Koehler, Al Manzi, Sean Kevlahan, Stan Limpert Absent: Hollie Williams Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development) Call To Order Chair Jon Strauss called the meeting to order and noted those who were present for the meeting, consisting of a quorum. 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 September t8, 2023 Meeting Minutes Al Manzi motioned to approve the minutes from September 18th. Meredith Barnes-Cook seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 in favor with 1 abstention (Vaillancourt). Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page. Andrew Shapiro provided the following updates: Housing, Strategy 10: Review the recommendations from the Merrimack Valley Regional Housing Plan for consistency with the Master Plan. Prioritize recommendations that overlap both plans. • On September 28, 2023, the Town participated in MVPC's Regional Housing Production Plan Community Meeting (a remote meeting), which covered the topic of housing regionally, as well as on North Andover specifically. Various statistics and figures about housing in the region and within North Andover were shared, and members of the public were asked to share their thoughts on how the Town can address issues related to housing for the next few years. Mr. Limpert asked if this project would result in a new Housing Production Plan, and if so, when it would be complete. Mr. Shapiro responded, noting that it would and completion is expected in spring of 2024. Housing, Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. -Last Update: October 3, 2023 • On October 2, 2023, the Town, via Town News and social media, issued a survey to residents in order to gauge local sentiment on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The survey has been available most of the month of October and will guide Town staff in reporting back to the Select Board on this topic. Consider adopting an Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw is a strategy that was published in the Town's 2018-2022 Housing Production Plan. Mr. Limpert asked about the timeline for consideration of a potential ADU bylaw. Mr. Shapiro explained that this survey is an initial step to understand public sentiment around ADUs and that there is no plan to bring forth a bylaw to Town Meeting in 2024. It could be considered in 2025. Ms. Barnes-Cook asked whether it is possible that no bylaw would be brought forward. Mr. Shapiro noted that that could be the case, depending on the results of feedback from the community and the willingness of the Select Board to support such a measure. Economic Development, Strategy 22: Evaluate whether the creation of a quasi public entity for economic development would offer the Town increased flexibility to negotiate with potential new employers and to be more proactive in creating economic development opportunities for the community. • At its regular meeting on September 18, 2023, the Town's Director of Community and Economic Development provided a memo to the Master Plan Implementation Committee, which provides an analysis of whether or not so-called "comparable communities utilize quasi-public entities for economic development, and whether it would make sense for North Andover. Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town's public buildings and schools as needed. • On October 3, 2023, the Town broke ground on a project to construct an addition to North Andover Middle School, which will make ADA and fire/building code improvements, as well as add needed classroom and lab space Discussion on Master Plan Strategies that have not been addressed or require additional in uir New Business: Discussion if time allows: updates on current Town projects and initiatives: Andrew Shapiro provided updates on the following projects and initiatives: MBTA Communities Compliance • The Town held a public meeting on September 13th to explain how the Town intends to comply with MBTA Communities State Law, which requires communities in eastern Massachusetts to provide zoning for by-right multi-family housing. MVPC is working with the Town as a consultant and is assisting it with compliance and public outreach. Prior public discussions were held with the Planning Board and Select Board. The Town is working to develop zoning parameters that would implement new MBTA communities compliant zoning at Osgood Landing (1600 Osgood Street) and North Andover Mall/ Market Basket Plaza (350 Winthrop Ave.). The Town aims to bring forward this new zoning proposal for consideration at Annual Town Meeting 2024. Sean Kevlahan asked if the Town was taking a different approach to this zoning based on any changes to regulations that had been brought forth by the State. Mr. Shapiro explained that the Town would be crafting into its proposed zoning, a preference/encouragement for mixed-use developments as opposed to only multi-family housing. Also, the Town is looking to enforce its new inclusionary zoning bylaw as part of any overlays that are approved for this zoning, which requires that an economic feasibility study also be conducted to demonstrate that requiring the inclusion of affordable housing at a rate of 15% of gross new units is in fact feasible. MVPC would conduct the feasibility study. Open Space and Recreation Plan Update • The Town held its first public workshop for an update to its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) on September 14th. It is working with consultant Horsely Witten on this project, which will update this seven year plan that outlines a vision for how the Town can preserve and improve its open space and recreation assets. 400 Great Pond Road Steering Committee Update • Richard Vaillancourt provided an update on this issue, noting that the steering committee had hired a consulting firm to examine different options for the site, along with costs evaluating alternatives. They have not yet completed their full analysis. One alternative that is being examined is renovating the structure onsite, getting it fully code compliant, and opening it up for public access. Another option would be to demolish portions of the home that were perhaps added on at different times (i.e. less value historically), renovate other portions of the historic home, and then build some sort of pavilion for public access. A third option is full demolition, backfilling the foundation, and providing public and recreational access. A final option is to sell one portion of the property for creation of one lot for a single family home, which could help offset some of the cost to execute another alternative with respect to the historic home. The goal is to provide a recommendation for Town Meeting to vote on in 2024. Al Manzi raised a concern about the rising water level of the lake, which could affect the viability of keeping the house in its current location (at its current height). Housing Production Plan Update/Potential ADU Bylaw • The Town is working with MVPC on an update to its Housing Production Plan, which expires at the end of the calendar year. The Plan outlines the current status of housing in town and lays out a vision for the Town's priorities with respect to housing and how it can achieve its goals. A remote public meeting will be held on September 28th with communities around the Merrimack Valley to holistically discuss housing issues in the region; there will also be a focused breakout session to discuss issues specific to North Andover. Mr. Shapiro asked whether anyone else had questions about projects/updates in town. Mr. Vaillancourt inquired about the redevelopment of the former Santander Bank property on Main Street. Mr. Shapiro noted that it had received all required local approvals, that the developer had closed on the parcels of land, and would most likely be starting the process of construction in Spring, pending financing. Mr. Limpert inquired about downtown streetscape improvements. Mr. Shapiro explained that after an initial RFP process, the responses received were above the Town's budget for the project. A new RFP would need to go out, which should occur towards the end of the year. Mr. Manzi inquired about burial of utilities on Main Street as part of that project. Mr. Shapiro explained that the consultant that ends up designing the streetscape improvements would need to coordinate any efforts to assist the Town in burying utility lines. Mr. Strauss mentioned that the Town Manager's office is seeking a member of each local board to participate in a diversity/equity/inclusion focus group taking place on December 13th. Meredith Barnes-Cook volunteered to participate on behalf of the MPIC. The Committee agreed to forgo a November meeting an schedule the next meeting for December 111 2023 at 5:3 0pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Richard Vaillancourt seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor.