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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-16 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 Attending: (in person): Meredith Barnes-Cook (Chair), Jon Strauss (Vice Chair), Al Manzi, Peter Koesterherm, Stan Limpert, Hollie Williams, Brian Roache. and Amy Mabley Absent: Sean Kevlahan Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community and Economic Development) Zach Melcher (Staff Planner) Call To Order Chair Meredith Barnes-Cook 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 Ms. Barnes-Cook or Mr. Shapiro. Vote on approval of March 10, 2025 minutes Stan Limpert motioned to approve the March 10, 2025 minutes as presented. Peter Koesterherm seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 in favor; The motion passed. *Amy Mabley and Brian Roache arrived after the vote for the minutes had been taken. Old Business: Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MPIC Implementation Web Pale. Mr. Shapiro covered the following updates to Master Plan strategies: • Housing, Strategy 13: Identify financialand staff resources to facilitate the construction and/or preservation of affordable housing in North Andover. 0 The Town's Community Preservation Committee voted recommend granting $200,000 in CPA funding to the Town's Affordable Housing Trust to facilitate the subdivision of North Andover which would ultimately be sold to a non-profit developer of affordable housing via a request for proposals (RFP)process in order to construct six units of affordable housing. • Housing, Strategy 14: Utilize CPA and Housing Trust funds to offset housing costs for households at the lowest income brackets (households up to 30 percent ofArea Median Income). 0 On April 1, 2025, the Town's Affordable Housing Trust, in partnership with Essex launched a "Critical Home The program utilizes volunteers, donated product and flexible sources of funding to make affordable home repairs, helping low-income homeowners continue to live independently and securely in their homes. This program primarily serves, but is not limited to, elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Mr. Koesterherm confirmed that the Affordable Housing Trust supported the launch of this program and chose to partner with Habitat for Humanity to help execute it. • Housing, Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (AD U) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. 0 The ADU bylaw is on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting 2025 (Article 22). • Economic Development, Strategy 24: 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. 0 The design and engineering of downtown streetscape improvements project now has a dedicat�Ld�a�e�on�thg_To�wW�swyeb�sitg. Engineering firm Green International Affiliates is under contract to develop construction plans for these improvements. Survey work began in April of 2025. Mr. Roache asked if there would be further examination of the at-grade railroad crossing. Mr. Shapiro said that it would probably not be part of this project, and that issue is fully within the jurisdiction of the MBTA. The MBTA, for its part, is trying to eliminate all at-grade crossings, but given the area's density and other constraints, it's unlikely that a feasible solution will be arrived at soon. • Economic Development, Strategy 26: Evaluate the uses of the Stevens Estate for additional commercial potential while maintaining the historic value of the property and the surrounding open space. 0 The Town's Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted to recommend a $4501000 CPA grant to fund historical restoration improvements to the Carriage House at the Stevens Estate. The interioLdr wa�11/ceilin�s�/f inish�es _and�mold�rem�ov�ql. It is not known yet how the .y� building will be utilized. • Transportation, Strategies 38, 41, 46, 48, 49, and 50 o The design and engineering of downtown streetscape improvements project now has a dedicatLdTa e on the Town's website. Engineering firm Green International Affiliates is under contract to develop construction plans for these improvements. Survey work began in April of 2025. There was discussion about whether the utilities along Main Street will be undergrounded. Mr. Shapiro explained that this issue will be further examined during the project, to better understand logistics and total cost. This information will be brought forward to the Select Board for consideration in the future. • Historical, Cultural, and Natural Resources Strategy 76: Nurture and support an ongoing relationship between the Historical Society and school department, especially regarding the third-grade local history curriculum to create opportunities for local field trips, classroom guests, and other educational opportunities about local history. 0 In March of 2025, the North Andover Historical Socie announced that it and several former North Andover Middle School students, under the leadership of teacher Mr. Pat McGravey, teamed up to create a new exhibit focusing on William Symmes Jr., an Andover (now North Andover) resident and Massachusetts representative,, who provided a pivotal vote in favor of the ratification of the Constitution. The exhibit opened to the public on Saturday, April 5, at the Parson Barnard House. The Parson Barnard House Museum is located at 179 Osgood Street in North Andover. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 9 1: Provide appropriate facilities and services for an increasing aging population. o On April 1, 2025, the Town's Affordable Housing_1rust, in partnership with.Essex Cgjl�_ffiqbitqtf�or H�um�an&, launched a "Critical Home The program utilizes volunteers, donated product and flexible sources of funding to make affordable home repairs, helping low-income homeowners continue to live independently and securely in their homes. This program primarily serves, but is not limited to, elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 100: Provide educational materials to residents and commercial establishments with information regarding how they can take measures to protect the environment. o In April of 2025, the Town to residents that they could procure an Earth Machine CoMp2st Bin from the DPW. The program stems from a partnership between the Town's DPW, Sustainability Committee, and the Massachusetts (MassDEP). New Business • Discussion of Town MeetiRg������� Mr. Shapiro explained that in years past, the Committee has evaluated certain issues being voted on at Annual Town Meeting, such as the Royal Crest proposal and MBTA Communities zoning. He noted that he does not believe that there are issues coming to Town Meeting this year that require this type of analysis from the MPIC. Members expressed their agreement. Mr. Shapiro, with the assistance of Staff Planner Zach Melcher discussed some of the projects proposed to be funded with Community Preservation Act funding. Mr. Shapiro also noted that a zoning bylaw amendment would be considered that would comply with the State's Accessory Dwelling Unit(ADU)regulations while placing reasonable local regulations on their construction and permitting. *At this point, Stan Limpert left the meeting. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed to meet next on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6pm. Adjournment: Jon Strauss moved to adjourn, and Amy Mabley seconded. The vote was 7-0 in favor.