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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-10 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes June 10, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Stan Limpert, Brian Roache and Amy Mabley Absent: Hollie Williams, George Koehler, and Sean Kevlahan 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 April 29, 2024 meeting minutes Amy Mabley motioned to approve the April 29, 2024 minutes as presented. Stan Limpert seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 in favor with one abstention (Brian Roache). Andrew Shapiro introduced Brian Roache (new member representing the Select Board) to the Committee. Each member present then introduced themselves, noting their affiliation to a representative board/commission or their status as an at-large member. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page. Mr. Shapiro covered various strategies that have seen progress since the Committee's last regular meeting, and which were accordingly updated on the Master Plan Implementation web page: • 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. o On May 14, 2014,Annual Town which includes 1600 Osgood Street(Osgood Landing) and complies with the State's MBTA Communities zomng mandate. Mr. Limpert asked what was next now that the new MBTA Communities Overlay was approved at Town Meeting. Mr. Shapiro explained that the Town will now submit the bylaw to the State for approval by both the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the Attorney General's Office. The review process will take at least six months to complete. After those reviews are complete and the bylaw is deemed acceptable, it goes into effect. Mr. Shapiro then noted that because the MBTA Communities Overlay was passed at Town Meeting, the following additional strategies were also updated to reflect this progress: • 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. • Land Use, Strategy 4: 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. • 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. Mr. Shapiro continued to cover updates to other strategies, not affected by the passage of the MBTA Communities Overlay: • Housing, Strategy 14: Utilize CPA and Housing Trust funds to offset housing costs for households at the lowest income brackets (households up to 30 percent of Area Median Income). o On May 14, 2024,Annual Town Meeting voted to approve recommended CPC projects, including use of$500,000 in Community Preservation Act(CPA) funding to support the development of four(4)units of affordable housing at 14-16 Brown Court. • Housing, Strategy 15: Continue to review the impact of new housing development on the Town's public infrastructure and services. o The Town issues an annual Water Quality Report,which have shown that the Town continues to provide clean drinking water to its residents,which has consistently resulted in no violations of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs): ■ 2023 -No violations of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) • Transportation, Strategy 33:Knit together Out Country with the commercial and civic centers in the northern portion of town by improving signage, sidewalk and trail connections, and bike facilities. o In May of 2024,the Town contracted with to help it in developing a Wayfinding Master Plan. Work on this project will begin in June 2024. • Transportation Strategy 57:Improve MVRTA circulator routes and frequency of those routes as a way to increase ridership. o In May of 2024, McVa was awarded a MassDOT RegionalTransit Innovation Grantin the amount of J1.9 millionwhich will fund extended service along Route 14. Service will come from the Ward Hill Industrial Park in Haverhill, stop at the Amazon facility at 1600 Osgood Street, and continue down Osgood Street (Route 125). It will take a right on Sutton Street and extend all the way to the Lawrence MBTA Station. • Historical, Cultural, and Natural Resources, Strategy 74: Complete an Historic Structures Report for the Stevens Estate including outbuildings and landscapes, as well as possible reuse options. o 2024 Annual Town Meeting approved an additional $150,000 for stabilization of the Stables (Carriage House) • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town's public buildings and schools as needed. o Annual Town Meeting in May of 2024 approved the ■ $450,000 for building maintenance and repairs ■ $400,000 for HVAC equipment replacement ■ $600,000 for roof replacement ■ $190,000 for municipal IT transfer core service to cloud ■ $4,484,775 for Facilities Master Plan II ■ $741,545 for the Fields Master Plan Implementation ■ $150,000 to stabilize the Stables at the Stevens Estate ■ $50,000 for town wide playground improvements ■ $125,000 to be utilized for reuse of the former senior center ■ $1,000,000 for the high school track resurfacing 0 $1,200,000 for the ABECC gym ■ $200,000 for district wide exterior maintenance/renovations ■ $200,000 for school IT ■ $100,000 for Franklin Elementary flooring New Business Discussion of ongoing projects of interest to Committee Members Mr. Shapiro noted that a digital equity planning process is underway, being overseen by the Community Development and Planning Departments, in conjunction with an outside consultant. The project is fully grant funded. The Plan will identify gaps in the Town's broadband networks (i.e. who does and does not have access to broadband), and suggest ways that the Town can plug that gap. Mr. Shapiro also noted that a public forum would be held this coming Thursday at the Senior Center for discussion of the Town's Open Space and Recreation Plan update. The Committee Members then agreed to schedule the next meeting for Monday, September 9th at 6pm, to take place in the 2nd floor conference room at Town Hall. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Brian Roache seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.