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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-02 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes December 2, 2024 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Brian Roache, Sean Kevlahan, Stan Limpert, and Amy Mabley Absent: Peter Koesterherm 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 offered and no emails had been received by either Mr. Strauss or Mr. Shapiro. Anaroval of November 4. 2024 meeting minutes Stan Limpert motioned to approve the November 4, 2024 minutes as presented. Meredith Barnes-Cook seconded the motion. The vote was 7-0 in favor. 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 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. 0 In November of 2024, the Planning Board approved a pro;et ct sponsored by to construct a 19,205 gross square-foot building situated along Aherne Road. The building will be composed of academic program space to serve as a Lecture Hall for College use. The Project includes pathways to improve pedestrian circulation throughout campus, utility infrastructure, a stormwater management plan and associated landscaping. Ms. Mabley inquired as to whether the college's growth impacts the types of businesses that the Town tries to attract. Mr. Shapiro explained that the college's decision to add new lecture hall space is in line with its efforts to raise its profile as a research institution. Mr. Shapiro also noted that most of the businesses in nearby commercial plazas along Route 114 benefit directly from and try to cater to the student population- in particular fast casual restaurants like Chipotle and the new Cava location. • Housing, Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (AD U) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. o On November 18, 2024, Chair -Director an update about how the Town can approach compliance with the State's new provision pertaining to ADU's being allowed by-right on single-family home lots (see bullet below) while implementing a bylaw that provides reasonable regulations for these units. Mr. Kevlahan noted that the Planning Board was giving serious consideration to eliminating the current "Family Suite"portion of the Town's Zoning Bylaw as a result of the potential adoption of the new ADU Bylaw. This is because only a relatively small number of existing single family homes in town - those over 3,600 square feet in size - would benefit from keeping the Family Suite provision. Owners of those homes will be able to utilize the ADU provision. Mr. Shapiro added that enforcement of the Family Suite provision by the Town's Building Department, which needs to ensure that only family members are living in those units, is somewhat onerous. Mr. Roache expressed skepticism that many ADUs would ultimately be built in town, given that not many have already built family suites, the cost of new construction, and limitations such as setback requirements and the need to upgrade septic systems to be compliant with additional capacity. • Economic Development, Strategy 20: 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. o In November of 2024, Cava Qpg��d�a lo�cat�ion�in�the�Ea�le�wo�od�Sho�s� commercial plaza, located on Route 114. • Open Space and Recreation, Strategy 64: Investigate, through a lake or watershed oversight committee, what level of recreational activity can be allowed on Lake Cochichewick without adversely harming the water supply and consider how to provide public recreational opportunities on and around the Lake within those limitations. 0 In November of 2024, the Planning Board voted to issue a letter to the North Andover PoligLDepartment in order to inform of it of a recently passed special permit for an improved boat launch at 0 Great Pond Road (location of the old North Pump Station on Lake Cochichewick). The letter also informs NAPD of instances where people have violated Lake regulations related to use of the lot after hours, domestic animals in the water, littering, noise, and more. The Planning Board encourages cooperation with NAPD on informing the public about regulations and working to improve enforcement. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town's public buildings and schools as needed. 0 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. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 93: Prepare and implement a long-term maintenance plan for existing fields and, if needed, identify locations and types for additional athletic fields. 0 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. Limpert inquired about whether the Committee should hear about an update regarding the Historic Preservation Master Plan. Mr. Shapiro noted that a full draft of the Plan was not yet ready, and that when it is ready, he would certainly share it and provide a fuller update on progress. A Committee Member also inquired about the status of the Commuter Rail Feasibility Study for Osgood Landing. Mr. Shapiro responded noting that a draft is being finalized. The property owner was consulted during the process and the ultimate result of the Study will show a station configuration that does not interfere with the existing solar facility on site. When the Study is complete, it will be presented and made public. *At this point, Brian Roache exited the meeting and did not return. New Business Discussion and vote: bi-annual update Mr. Shapiro presented the bi-annual update that was drafted for the Committee's consideration. The Committee would need to vote to authorize the Chair to sign and present it to the Select Board and Planning Board. It covers many of the updates to Master Plan strategies that have been covered throughout the last few months; most notably, the strategies that were affected by the passage of the MBTA Communities Overlay Bylaw at Town Meeting in May of 2024. The update also expresses the Committee's support for the Select Board's goal to investigate a commercial overlay district in the area of Sutton and Main Street, which would support 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. Jon Strauss noted that he provided a number of small grammatical edits to the document. Stan Limpert motioned to approve the bi-annual update, subject to any minor edits that the Chair might make to the document, and for the Chair to present it on behalf of the Master Plan Implementation Committee to the Select Board and Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Amy Mabley. The vote was 6-0 in favor. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed not to meet in January and to next meet on Monday, February 2, 2025 at 6pm. Adjournment: Amy Mabley moved to adjourn, and Stan Limpert seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.