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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-06 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes Master Plan Implementation Committee Meeting Minutes October 6, 2025 Attending: (in person): Jon Strauss (Vice Chair), Al Manzi, Brian Roache, John Simons, Stan Limpert, and Amy Mabley Absent: Meredith Barnes-Cook (Chair), Hollie Williams, Peter Koesterherm Staff: Andrew Shapiro (Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community and Economic Development) Zach Melcher(Staff Planner) Call To Order Vice Chair Jon Strauss, who chaired the meeting in Meredith Barnes-Cook's absence, 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 Mr. Shapiro. Vote on annroval of June 9, 2025 minutes Mr. Shapiro noted that there was a quorum of only five members present, and that one of them was new member John Simons. Therefore, he suggested tabling the consideration of the minutes. Brian Roache motioned to table consideration of the June 9, 2025 minutes. Amy Mabley seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 in favor; The motion passed. *Stan Limpert arrived at this point. 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: • Housing, Strategy 13: Identify financial and staff resources to facilitate the construction and/or preservation of affordable housing in North Andover. o On September 8, 2025, the Select Board voted to a XXrove allocation of J150 000 from the Affordable Housigg Trust for the "Critical Home Rep ir" program. • 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 of Area Median Income). o On September 8, 2025, the Select Board voted to a TSrove allocation of$150,,,000 from the Affordable Housing-Trust for the "Critical Home ReViLir" program. • 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. 0 In September 2025, S. • 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,fagade improvement programs, infrastructure investments, and changes in use. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted a_pmhhc m�ee�tin�to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation, Strategy 38: Couple sidewalk and crosswalk improvements with pedestrian-scale lighting to increase visibility and safety. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted 4_Dgblic meetin to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation Strategy 46: Extend high visibility crosswalks to additional intersections and mid-block crossing locations along Main Street and Water Street.. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted q_pLblic meetin to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation, Strategy 49: Hire a consultant to evaluate and recommend possible streetscape improvements along Main Street and Water Street. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted a_pmhlic m�ee�tin�to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation, Strategy 50: Continue to plan for and implement undergrounding of utilities in the Downtown area. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted a_pwhlic m�ee�tin�to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation, Strategy 52: Use consistent streetscape treatments and wayp-naing signage to connect Downtown with the Mill District to encourage walking, gathering, shopping, and dining between both areas. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted a_pUblic meeting_to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Transportation, Strategy 53: Repair existing brick sidewalks in Downtown to reduce tripping hazards and ice buildup. o On September 24, 2025, the Town and its consultants hosted a_pLblic meeting to and to receive feedback from the general public. • Historical, Cultural, and Natural Resources Strategy 73: Create a local Historic Preservation Master Plan to identify resources for stronger protection of historic resources, improvements to strengthen effectiveness of existing historic and neighborhood conservation districts, and protection of historic town records. 0 On October 6, 20251 aster Plan were presented to the Select Board. • Public Facilities and Services, Strategy 96: Encourage the Library to provide needed additional programming whether on-site or at satellite locations. o The Stevens Memorial Library plans to offer "Bookmobile Story_iim!���� Common in October and November of 2025. This is made possible by the procurement of a new mobile library van, funded by ARPA. When Mr. Shapiro completed his updates, Mr. Strauss inquired about the status of the MassDOT project to reconstruct a large portion of Route 114 running through North Andover. Mr. Shapiro noted that bid opening is scheduled to occur October 15, 2025; notice to proceed would occur 30 days from bid opening; a notice to proceed would occur in late December 2025; January/February of 2026, MassDOT District 4 office will hold a pre-construction conference. Mr. Simons asked if MassDOT went forward with any taking. Mr. Shapiro explained that there would be a fair amount of property taken along the right of way, in order to make way for wider sidewalks, roadway, and a shared use path. In addition to that, three homes and their respective properties were being taken. New Business Discussion of addl*tl*onAl2EftitgtMgdalgLALfiMt2flM o Downtown Streets c Mr. Shapiro started by noting that there is a webpage on the Town's website, which contains information about this project, as well as links to a recording of the meeting recently held on September 24, 2025. Shapiro noted that the meeting was fairly well attended. He said that the project to design the streetscape improvements would continue into 2027. Mr. Shapiro showed the project area, which consists primarily of Main Street, from Sutton to Merrimack, and Water from Main to High. The ultimate design will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicle drivers, as well as provide more public amenities, like pocket parks, landscaping, pedestrian scale lighting, and street furniture. There about 80 on-street public parking spaces; 30% is occupied during the A.M. peak, and about 50% is occupied during the P.M. peak. There are only six street trees. Mr. Shapiro explained that one of the conceptual design elements that was shared was the idea of having mini-roundabouts at Waverly and Main, and at Main and Water, respectively. They would have mountable aprons for larger vehicles to utilize. The roundabout at Waverly would result in the loss of some parking spaces to make room for this design element. He also explained that although the area would be designed to be safer for all users, the design probably would not concentrate strongly on major bike specific facilities. This is because there are tradeoffs for doing this, such as the loss of parking spaces or narrower sidewalks. This design would strive to make pedestrian safety a priority, while preserving parking. Mr. Shapiro noted that sidewalks could have brick accent strips, as opposed to being fully brick. Brick tends to be expensive, hard to maintain, and not particularly friendly for pedestrians with disabilities or mobility issues. The accent sties however, would provide a brick aesthetic feature. There would be an opportunity to plant about 30 new trees as well. Mr. Shapiro concluded by noting that there were some survey questions asked at the public meeting; the Town would continue seeking public comment with a survey to the broader community and via smaller focused conversations with primary stakeholders in the downtown. Members then discussed the cost benefit of pursuing this type of project and whether it would truly make a difference in terms of transforming the downtown. Members also discussed the challenges inherent in being able to effectively redevelopment certain portions of the downtown to invite more economic activity and foot traffic. Discuss and agree to next meeting date The Committee agreed to meet next on Monday,November 10, 2025 at 6pm. Adjournment: Stan Limpert moved to adjourn, and Al Manzi seconded. The vote was 6-0 in favor.