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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-04 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Brian Roache, Hollie Williams, Sean Kevlahan, and Amy Mabley Absent: Peter Koesterherm and Stan Limpert 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 offered and no emails had been received by either Mr. Strauss or Mr. Shapiro. Approval of October 7, 2024 meeting minutes Amy Mabley motioned to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes as presented. Meredith Barnes-Cook seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 in favor with two abstaining (Williams and Kevlahan). The motion passed. 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: • 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. o In October of 2024, the Select Board adopted ggals for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes "Riverfront Zoning Overlay to allow for by-right commercial development along the Merrimack River." Such an overlay would be developed in partnership with the Planning Board/Department and potentially with the assistance of a consultant. It would tie back to multiple Master Plan strategies. • Economic Development, Strategy 34: Invest in infrastructure and streetscaping to enhance the downtown area as a pedestrian friendly economic hub. Discuss with existing property owners the possibility of zoning changes,facade improvement programs, infrastructure investments, and changes in use. o In October of 2024, the Town was awarded to support engineering/design of downtown streetscape improvements. Because $300,000 in ARPA funding (see bullet above) was reallocated from this project due to other competing priorities, the $675,000 grant will be leveraged against $325,000 from ECCF's Economic Development Fund (see bullet above), making for a project total of$1,000,000. Other strategies that were updated based on the awarding of the MassWorks grant(see above) include: • Strategy 49, Transportation: Hire a consultant to evaluate and recommend possible streetscape improvements along Main Street and Water Street. • Strategy 50, Transportation: Continue to plan for and implement undergrounding of utilities in the Downtown area • Strategy 52, Transportation: Use consistent streetscape treatments and wayfinding signage to connect Downtown with the Mill District to encourage walking, gathering, shopping, and dining between both areas • Strategy 53, Transportation: Repair existing brick sidewalks in Downtown to reduce tripping hazards and ice buildup Resuming other strategy updates covered by Mr. Shapiro: • Strategy 36, Transportation: Evaluate the feasibility of increasing crosswalk frequency and visibility on major travel corridors such as Route 114, Mass. Ave, Route 125, and Chickening Road. o In October of 2024, the Select Board adopted g2.als for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes "Increase signage and crosswalk signals around our school entrances. Improved safety and visibility at intersections and crosswalks, especially near our schools but also in neighborhoods that could benefit from improved signage. (ie. Main Street at 125 and nearby crosswalks, High and Water Street). The above update, regarding Strategy 36, also applies to Strategy 46 under Transportation: Extend high visibility crosswalks to additional intersections and mid-block crossing locations along Main Sheet and Water Street. • Strategy 85, Public Facilities and Services: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town I public buildings and schools as needed. o In November of 2024, renovations to the High School's track were completed after it had been destroyed during flooding that occurred in August of 2023. • Strategy 93, Public Facilities and Services: Prepare and implement a long-term maintenance plan for existing fields and, if needed, identify locations and types for additional athletic fields. o In November of 2024, renovations to the High School's track were completed after it had been destroyed during flooding that occurred in August of 2023. Mr. Strauss asked whether the McAvoy parking lot improvements had been added to one of the relevant strategies within the public facilities section. Mr. Shapiro thanked Mr. Strauss for the suggestion. New Business Discussion of ongoing projects of interest to Committee Members as time allows Mr. Kevlahan raised the issue of Lawrence Municipal Airport having a Master Plan, which it recently presented to the Planning Board, that explains that the Airport is interested in acquiring properties within its flightpath, so as to control potential conflicts. This could have implications with respect to future rezoning of the riverfront area beyond Sutton Street. Mr. Manzi raised some of the issues that the Airport is contending with in terms of stormwater management and conversation its had with the Conservation Commission. Mr. Shapiro noted that he will work with the Chair to prepare a bi-annual update that the Committee can review and vote on at its next meeting. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed to next meet on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 6pm. Adjournment: Brian Roache moved to adjourn, and Hollie Williams seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor.