Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee

OPEN SPACE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND TRAILS COMMITTEE Wednesday, July 22, 2020; 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Present: Jonathan Sherwood, Chair, Pascal Rettig (Planning Board), Vanessa Johnson-Hall (Secretary), Richard Hucksam, Councilor Nicholas Wheeler, Councilor Adrienne Lennon. 7:05 Meeting called to order 1. Meeting is not being recorded; however City has requested that a roll-call vote be taken for committees meeting virtually. 2. Approval of April 22 and May 27 2020 Meeting Minutes • Motion to approve minutes as presented: N. Wheeler Nick move to approve as presented. 2nd P. Rettig. All approved except A. Lennon, who abstained. 3. Review OSNRTC Open Meeting plan, in light of Governor Baker’s Phase III guidance • Guidance from City re Phase 3 of Reopening: We have option to hold in-person meetings if below 25 members. Still requires physical distancing. We would need on-line audio to public, although Christine Dixon said audio doesn’t have to be live; could be recorded unless it’s a public hearing. City Hall has resources there to take temps and log in the book before entering the building. Also option to meet outside. All Committee members have to approve. Uniform opinion is to remain meeting via Zoom. 4. 12-month OSNRT Action Plan from OSRP • OSNRT website updated needed. J. Sherwood and V. Johnson-Hall to make sure have complete record of minutes and will get that uploaded to website. Final OSRP once approved by Commonwealth will also be uploaded to the website. • Jonathan, Rich and Vanessa met to brainstorm preliminary list of 12-month action items to kick- start discussion and give OSNRT something to respond to. • 1.2: Zoning Review – initiate with MA Audubon regarding technical review of bylaws and ordinances, including identify costs o A. Lennon mentioned that City is embarking upon comprehensive review of planning and zoning ordinances; has hired Collins to review City Charter, and applied for grant for review of fees. City also needs to comply with MS4 requirements (deadline was June 30). o V. Johnson-Hall to follow up with Mass Audubon to inquire about their services, cost, etc. and will report back to Committee. • 1.3: Protect Town Forest parcel group; increase protections on Woodsom Parcels: o A. Lennon and N. Wheeler already intend to introduce ordinance to fully protect Woodsom Farm (except soccer fields) and Town Forest for passive recreation. • 1.1 ROFR protocol. o Idea is to set additional review procedures to ensure that there’s thorough review Chapter 61 ROFR opportunities, incorporating review criteria that reflect goals of OSRP. Rich said this is likely a policy (not ordinance). Discussion re cluster subdivision proposed off of Woodsom Road; this farm was under Chapter 61. Was a Notice of  Change of Use provided to the City? N. Wheeler to follow up. V. Johnson and J. Sherwood to work take lead on 1.1. o 2.2/4.1: Identify funding for Trails master plan, addressing management, improvements, signage, mapping, accessibility • 4.2: Identify funding for feasibility, planning, and implementation for increasing accessibility at open space resources o R. Hucksam and J. Sherwood take on Planning/Implementation re increasing accessibility, Trails Master Plan. Signage is achievable – DPW willing to put resources toward kiosk construction if another entity puts together content. Also include connectivity – making clear how open spaces connect with one another. Another top priority is addressing areas getting heavy use; trail improvements needed – planking structures (low cost, easy to create), require Cons Comm approval. o Q: Can Lake Gardner be residents only? Nick said when City purchased they used State & Federal funds, so condition is that has to be open to the public. There are other options – City could look into charging for parking; setting up pass system where residents get discount. Lots of conversation but no decision. Residents-only was waiver in response to COVID state of emergency. 2.1 talks about Lake Gardner Management Plan. LGIA has been making progress with improvements. • 2.3: Advocate for resilient design when designing, permitting, and building new active recreational facilities. There is a lot of planning going on now with respect to this. How can we interact with that proactively. P. Rettig is willing to take this on. J. Sherwood recommends also reaching out to Tom Barasso. • 3.1: Support creation of management plan for Woodsom Farm o Cons Comm is about to approve a mgt plan for Battis with a focus on grassland birds, but not exclusively. Doesn’t encompass every facet of Battis Farm / Powwow Conservation Area, but it addresses management of fields, including trails, wetland areas, community gardens. o When Council approved Art 97 protection for Woodsom, part of that approval was that City would develop Mgt Plan for Woodsom within a period of time (1-2 years). o N. Wheeler to take lead. • 1.1: Educate municipal officials, boards and committees regarding options related to Chapter 61 and preservation/conservation o Goes hand-in-hand w/effort to develop Chapter 61 Policy / Resource. V. Johnson-Hall & J. Sherwood to take lead. • 3.2: Educate municipal officials, boards and committees and stakeholder groups (LGIA, Coastal Trails, Amesbury Trails) regarding areas and parcels prioritized in resiliency mapping o J. Sherwood and V. Johnson-Hall to take lead. o Goal is to raise awareness of OSRP and have most relevant sections accessible. - Prioritization maps  - Distillation of what residents care about – esp. for municipal staff & boards. P. Rettig will do this part. • OSRP Final Approvals: Nick will check in with Matt Einson on letter of support from City Council. Jonathan will create 12-month Action Plan for Committee to vote on next month. N. Wheeler will follow up on Chapter 61 Notice for Woodsom Road, and on status of Woodsom Farm Management Plan. Next meeting August 26th. Website update – include Woodsom Farm Mowing Plan. Motion to adjourn 8:37pm. Moved N. Wheeler. 2nd A. Lennon. Unanimous. Submitted by, Vanessa Johnson-Hall