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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-29 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes April 29, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Stan Limpert, Sean Kevlahan, George Koehler, Hollie Williams, and Amy Mabley Absent: Brian Roache Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community and Economic Development) and Zach Melcher (Staff Planner) 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 meeting minutes: 1. February 29, 2024 2. March 18, 2024 George Koehler motioned to approve both sets of minutes as presented. Hollie Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 8-0 in favor. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page. Mr. Shapiro explained that the following update was provided to a few of the Master Plan Strategies: On April 2, 2024, the Planning Board voted "favorable action" and on April 8, 2024 the Select Board voted "favorable action" on the proposed MBTA Multi-Family Overlay District Bylaw, which will be considered at Town Meeting on May 14, 2024. The Overlay District includes 1600 Osgood Street (Osgood Landing). Those strategies include: • Land Use, Strategy 1: 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. • Land Use, 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. • Housing, Strategy 18: 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. • Economic Development, Strategy 29: 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. For Strategy 10 (Housing) -Review the recommendations from the Merrimack Valley Regional Housing Plan for consistency with the Master Plan. Prioritize recommendations that overlap both plans - Mr. Shapiro noted the following update: On April 17, 2024, the Town hosted a virtual information session about the Housing Production Plan update. New Business Continued discussion and 2gottentrial vot Zo Select Board and Planninor Board I Rage Jon Strauss provided a summary of the process leading up to drafting the correspondence and finalizing the table of information before the Committee. The correspondence is directed to both the Select Board and Planning Board. The Committee now needs to refine what has already been discussed and vote to approve, whether altered or not, the correspondence to the Boards. Mr. Shapiro noted that both the Planning Board and Select Board have already voted to recommend favorable action on the proposed MBTA Communities Bylaw; therefore, this information will be coming to them somewhat late in the process. Mr. Koehler suggested making reference in the correspondence to the spreadsheet document that the Committee had developed. Ms. Mabley suggested adding language that references an acknowledgement that the Boards had already voted to recommend favorable action on the proposed bylaw. Mr. Koehler suggested simply providing the information and allowing the Boards to incorporate it into their communications to Town Meeting voters as they see fit. Mr. Shapiro explained that the Planning Board, for instance, had already developed a report that was incorporated into the Warrant. Mr. Koehler then suggested that there is too much information on the spreadsheet document. Some of it can be eliminated, such as the number of Committee Members that voted in favor or certain strategies aligning (or not aligning) with the Master Plan, and the comments/notes. Mr. Shapiro responded, noting that he would make those requested changes, having only the strategies themselves, and a check mark for how the Committee voted on the status of each one of them. He said that he would make all edits with consultation from the Chair prior to finalizing the documents. Stan Limprert: Motion to approve both the review of the proposed MBTA Communities Bylaw and the cover letter, subject to final edits being made in consultation with the Chair. Seconded by Meredith Barnes-Cook. Voted 8-0 in favor. The Committee agreed to meet next on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 6pm. Adjournment: Jon Strauss moved to adjourn, and Hollie Williams seconded. The vote was 8-0 in favor.