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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-18 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes March 18, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Stan Limpert, Amy Mabley, and George Koehler Absent: Richard Vaillancourt, Sean Kevlahan, and Hollie Williams Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/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 Andrew Shapiro by the time the meeting had started and no members of the public were present to offer comments. Approval of February 29, 2024 meeting minutes Mr. Shapiro apologized for not having the minutes prepared in time for review at the meeting. The item was tabled and would be considered at the Committee's next meeting. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page. Mr. Shapiro noted that he hadn't had an opportunity to update specific areas of the webpage, but that he did have a few of updates for the Committee, on projects: An RFP has been issued for a wayfinding master plan, which would require bringing on a consultant to help the Town identify areas where wayfinding signage could be installed, what it would look like, and what type of information it would have. The project would also result in bid specifications for the fabrication of signage. There is at least one Master Plan strategy that responds specifically to this type of project. Both the Historic Preservation Master Plan and MBTA Commuter Rail Feasibility Study are under way. Consultants have been procured to lead both processes and initial kickoff meetings have been conducted. Document review is happening and Mr. Shapiro noted that he would keep the Committee apprised of progress on these and other projects. The design for upgrades to the intersection of Osgood Street and Great Pond Road is at 25%. New Business .gainst Master Plan stralpg:ies Mr. Shapiro noted that he had received responses from four(4) Committee members and aggregated them, with notes, into the spreadsheet. He then discussed each of the strategies with the Members, noting comments that had been made about each strategy as to why (or why not) it was well aligned with the proposed MBTA Multi-Family Zoning Bylaw. The process resulted in the Committee Members presenting determining that the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment will have a positive impact with regard to achieving eight(8) of the stated strategies of the Master Plan: • Review the Osgood Smart Growth Overlay District and update the Zoning Bylaw to ensure the district encourages the types of uses that are attractive in today's market and consistent with the direction of this Master Plan. • 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. • Review the current Zoning Bylaw and compare the current regulations to the desired vision and goals of the Master Plan. Ensure recommendations that can be tied back to zoning changes are identified, prioritized, and completed. • Update zoning to ensure that deed restricted affordable housing is provided as a component of new market-rate residential development projects. • Continue to review the impact of new housing development on the Town's public infrastructure and services. • Update the Town's Zoning Bylaw to promote a mix of uses in areas already served by public infrastructure such as downtown, Route 114, Route 125, and Sutton Street. • Ensure existing commercial and industrial land is not converted to support only multi-family uses, but instead a mix of uses promoting vibrant commercial centers and corridors. • Encourage the development of mixed-use buildings which support both residential and commercial uses. One (1) of the strategies was found to be negatively impacted: • Simplify and consolidate the number of zoning districts in the Town's Zoning Bylaw and update the Town's Zoning Map to reflect these changes. The two (2) remaining strategies were found to have a neutral - neither positive, nor negative - influence at this time. However, upon adoption of the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment, there exists a potential down the road for a positive impact upon these two particular strategies: • Focus business attraction efforts on opportunities which are consistent with the character of the community and which can be reasonably supported in appropriate locations within the Town • Work with large land owners of economically-important properties in town to identify and attract a mix of uses for the redevelopment of those properties. Mr. Strauss noted that he would prepare a memo, to be reviewed and voted upon at the next meeting, that would be directed to the Planning Board and Select Board, that would outline the Committee's findings with respect to this process. The Committee agreed to meet next on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 5pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpter moved to adjourn, and George Koehler seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.