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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-03 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes February 3, 2025 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Chair), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Vice-Chair), Al Manzi, Hollie Williams, Peter Koesterherm, Stan Limpert, and Amy Mabley Absent: Brian Roache and Sean Kevlahan Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community and Economic Development) 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 public comments were offered and no emails had been received by either Mr. Strauss or Mr. Shapiro. Vote on election of Chair and Vice Chair Mr. Shapiro noted that the last time a vote had been taken on officers was February 2023. It is good practice to vote to either keep the current leadership in place, or provide an opportunity for others on the Committee to assume these positions. Mr. Strauss made it known that he would be willing to step down as Chair and after come conferring, offered to "switch"position with Ms. Barnes-Cook. Al Manzi motioned to elect Meredith Barnes-Cook as the Master Plan Implementation Committee Chair, and Jonathan Strauss as the Committee's Vice Chair. Stan Limpert seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. Vote on the approval of the DecembeL!,,.�024�m�eet�in�mi�nu�te�s Amy Mabley motioned to approve the December 2, 204 minutes. Stan Limpert seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 in favor; 2 members abstained (Williams and Koesterherm). The motion passed. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC 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. O In December of 2024, the Planning Board approved a Street (Route 125) to construct a new 2/3 story, 21,145 square foot building to be used for a child care center and other commercial uses. The Conservation Commission also issued an Order of Conditions, allowing for this project to move forward. Mr. Koeserterherm inquired about what type of other commercial uses would be included, and whether a traffic study was produced. Mr. Shapiro replied, noting that it is his understanding that the building will house a use complementary to the childcare center, such as medical offices (perhaps a pediatrician). The project did provide a traffic study to the Planning Board, which was peer reviewed. • Housing, Strategy 10: Review the recommendations from the Merrimack Valley Regional Housing Plan for consistency with the Master Plan. Prioritize recommendations that overlap both plans. O In January of 2025, EOHLC officially approved the Town's new Housing Production Plan. Mr. Koesterherm inquired about where the Town currently stands with respect to housing production- is it hitting its targets? Mr. Shapiro noted that the Town will soon be re-applying to the State for"Housing Choice" status, which will reveal some progress (or lack thereof) on housing production. He said that the Town is still below the State's 10% threshold for affordable housing. With that said, the Town has addressed many housing goals, such as becoming compliant with the State's MBTA Communities law and passing an inclusionary zoning bylaw. • 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 December of 2024, the Planning Board approved a Street (Route 125) to construct a new 2/3 story, 21,145 square foot building to be used for a child care center and other commercial uses. The Conservation Commission also issued an Order of Conditions, allowing for this project to move forward. Related to this strategy, Mr. Shapiro also noted the recent opening of Pipe Dream Cupcakes on Water Street in the downtown area. • 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 On January 6, 2025, the Planning Department provided an adate to the Select Board about progress on the Wayfinding Master Plan. • Open Space and Recreation Strategy 69: Continue to consider the creation of more athletic fields to support youth sports including potential for use ofprivate property. o In January of 2025, the Town's Community Development Department submitted mittee_(CPC I to fund the acquisition of an approximately 5.5 acre portion of 470 Johnson Street(known as Calzetta Farm) that will both preserve the property from development, and eventually enable it to be used as one or more athletic fields. Mr. Koesterherm asked whether the Town is certain it wants to utilize this property as athletic fields; would it consider this site for affordable housing? Mr. Shapiro said the Fields Committee has been active in trying to acquire the property for the Town to use it for youth athletic fields. Mr. Strauss asked whether the Town has first right of refusal on the property. Mr. Shapiro responded said that it does. • Historic, Cultural, and Natural Resources Strategy 72:Acquire or otherwise protect priority open space parcels from development as identified through the most current Open Space and Recreation Plan. o In January of 2025, the Town's Community Development Department submitted mitteeLCPC J und the to f acquisition of an approximately 5.5 acre portion of 470 Johnson Street(known as Calzetta Farm) that will both preserve the property from development, and eventually enable it to be used as one or more athletic fields. Mr. Manzi asked whether there is gravity sewer in this location. Mr. Shapiro confirmed that there is sewer on Johnson Street. • 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 January of 2024, North Andover Public Schools submitted an NDlication to the Community Preservation Commission (CPC) to fund reconstruction and enhancements to the tennis courts at North Andover High School. New Business Discussion of additional project updates as time allows, including but not limited to: • D 0i 1 R Plan latal III V • Wayfinding Master Plan • Historic Preservation Master Plan Staff Planner Zach Melcher presented updates regarding the Town's efforts with respect to developing a Digital Equity, Wayfinding, and Historic Preservation Master Plan. He noted that he had recently presented the results of the Digital Equity Plan to the Select Board. The completion of the Plan enables the Town to apply for up to $100,000 for implementation, which it plans to use for procuring chromebooks for the schools. Mr. Melcher also presented designs shared with the Select Board for the Town's Wayfinding Master Plan. He noted a presentation to the Select Board of the Historic Preservation Master Plan would be forthcoming. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed not to meet in January and to next meet on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 6pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Amy Mabley seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor.