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.