Planning and Development Subcommittee

By City Clerk at 9:50 am, Aug 24, 2023 City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 Planning and Development Subcommittee Minutes Monday, July 31, 2023, at 7:00 PM Virtual Meeting Chairman Mandeville called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Roll Call was taken, and present were Councilor Wheeler and Chairman Mandeville. Also in attendance: Nipun Jain: Planning Director, Ann Marie Casey: Chief of Staff, and Amanda Haggstrom: City Clerk. Absent was Councilor Hogg. Minutes for approval- May 17, 2023 & July 17, 2023 Councilor Wheeler made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 17, 2023 and July 17, 2023 as presented. He was seconded by Councilor Mandeville. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). Public Comment – • Councilor Jon Hickok (464 Main Street)- Voiced the pros and cons of 2023-005 according to the members of district 1. Pros: economic development, affordable housing. Cons: increased traffic/congestion in an already congested area (Point Shore neighborhood, Merrimack River District). Scenic byway protection along river roads. • Councilor Mandeville read an email from Tracy Chalifour (25 Clark’s Road) into the record. She states that the diagrams for 2023-005 have not been updated on the OCED Website in months and mentioned that certain plots do not exclude unbuildable wetlands.  • Chris Falcos spoke in favor of being added to the committee as a non-voting member, speaking to his experience in civil engineering and experience on the disbanded Traffic and Transportation committee. • Owen Corcoran spoke in favor of being added to the committee as a non-voting member, mentioning his experience as former chair of the disbanded Traffic and Transportation Committee. The committee discussed that the appointment of these two residents, as non-voting members should have been added to the agenda for this evening. The Clerk, Amanda Haggstrom stated that she would get it added to the next agenda and would swear in the new appointees immediately after the vote, so that they could join discussion. Topics for Discussion- 2023-005 An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance and the Amesbury Overlay Zoning Map in order to establish a new Smart Growth Overlay District pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40R and 760 CMR 59.00 that shall be known as the East End Smart Growth Overlay District. -Mayor Sponsor • Nipun Jain gave a presentation, summarizing the changes to 2023-005 from its original inception to present (see attached). o Councilor Wheeler asked if the open space parcels – specifically FOS-2 – wraps around MF-2 to facilitate a possible future pedestrian corridor/trail near Interstate 95. Nipun answered, stating that they wanted to ensure wildlife corridors and ensure future path possibilities, while keeping opening space flexible. o Councilor Wheeler asked if unbuildable wetlands are allowed to factor into open space calculations. Nipun cited the statute’s clear differentiation between developable and undevelopable areas. o Councilor Wheeler asked Nipun to clarify whether MF-1 and FOS-2 are carved out of one parcel of land (Parcel 80-9), citing differences with the Assessor’s map. Nipun clarified that they are only taking approx. 50% of that parcel. • Nipun Jain continued his presentation, focusing on the Table of Dimensional Regulations and revisions to “XI.Q.9.7 Infrastructure Improvements.” o Councilor Wheeler asked questions pertaining to the necessity of the 55-ft height limit in MF-1 and MF-2 and the availability of public parking for nearby bike trails on a portion of SDA-1. Nipun answered that many of these buildings would be far back from the street and far less noticeable, and that the specific portion of SDA- 1 is owned by the state and would be unavailable for development as a full parcel. o Councilor Mandeville asked why the maximum height for SDA-1 is less than MF- 1 and MF-2(40ft/3 stories to 55ft/4 stories), since SDA-1 is closer to Route 110. Nipun, citing the Merrimac River District analysis, answered that the limitations exist to provide buildings that are appropriate for the existing neighborhood, as well as limitations on parcels of land brought about as a result of public input.  • Nipun Jain concluded his presentation and drew attention to the updated Subsidized Housing Inventory list, which stated that Amesbury has fallen below the 10% minimum threshold (8.49%) and that the city needs 120+ deeded units to get back to 10%. Councilor Wheeler made a motion to continue discussion of 2023-005 to a Planning and Development meeting on August 16 at 7:00 PM. Councilor Mandeville seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. (2-0) Councilor Wheeler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 PM. Councilor Mandeville seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. (2-0) Adjourn Jess Manning August 15, 2023