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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-09 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes October 9, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Stan Limpert, Brian Roache, and Amy Mabley Absent: Sean Kevlahan, Hollie Williams, Peter Koesterherm 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 members of the public were present to offer comment and no emails had been received by either Mr. Strauss or Mr. Shapiro. Anaroval of September 9, 2024 meeting minutes Stan Limpert motioned to approve the September 9, 2024 minutes as presented. Meredith Barnes-Cook seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Page. Mr. Shapiro covered the following updates to Master Plan strategies: • Open Space and Recreation, Strategy 62: Consider how the Town can best make use of the Merrimack River's close proximity and recreational opportunities by establishing a riverfront trail system, waterfront parks, and/or public canoe or boat launch areas. o In October of 2024, the Select Board voted to include "Riverfront Zoning Overlay to allow for by-right commercial development along the Merrimack River" as one of its . • Historic, Cultural, and Natural Resources, 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. o On September 25, 2024, Town Planning Department Staff, along with Heritage Strategies, hosted a public forum to discuss progress of the Historic Preservation Master Plan, as well as to solicit additional public input. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 98: Continue to support Veterans Services so that they may provide needed services to veterans. o In September of 2024, the Select Board approved an additional $10,000 in ARPA funding to support local veterans, and to refurbish lettering outside of Veterans Memorial Auditorium at North Andover Middle School. New Business 1. Discussion and vote: Letter o and Recreation StEajggjga_�k���: o Investigate establishing public recreational access to the Merrimack River via the Shawsheen River trail and boat ramp. o Consider how the Town can best make use of the Merrimack River's close proximity and recreational opportunities by establishing a riverfront trail system, waterfront parks, and/or public canoe or boat launch areas. Mr. Shapiro noted that he would remove reference to strategy 61 because it turns out that it is not relevant to the issue of creating additional access to the Merrimack River. He then explained that this letter could serve as support from the Master Plan Implementation Committee to the Select Board for including efforts to rezone the area around Sutton, Main, Ashland Streets, etc. to accommodate low density commercial development, which could catalyze improved access to the Merrimack River. Mr. Roache broached the idea of adding additional relevant Master Plan strategies that would be positively influenced by these efforts to the letter. Tying the efforts to issues such as downtown improvements and/or the shared use path, could be beneficial. Ms. Barnes-Cook encouraged the addition of wording that indicates the MPIC's support of the Select Board's proposed goal specifically because it aligns with the Town's Master Plan and associated strategies. The Committee discussed other relevant strategies that it could reference in the letter, which Mr. Shapiro said he could incorporate when editing it prior to the next meeting. The Committee agreed to continue the discussion at its next meeting, which will take place Monday,November 4th at 6pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Amy Mabley seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.