TEWKSBURY MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING

June 12, 2003

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm.  Members present were Frank Sweet, Steve Sadwick, Susan Duffy, Nancy Reed, Joe Gill and Stephanie Wilkie.  COG members present were Judi Barrett and Mary Coolidge.

 

Please note that the Master Plan Committee meeting of May 22, 2003 was cancelled and the meeting schedule/topics were adjusted accordingly. 

 

  1. Approval of Minutes

 

The meeting minutes of April 21, 2003 were approved unanimously.

 

  1. Approval of Past Invoices

 

COG invoices #0230-04-131 and # 0230.1-04-132 were approved for payment by a unanimous vote through a motion by Reed and seconded by Wilkie.

 

  1. Economic Development Presentation

 

Existing condition of Route 38/Main St. is that it is made up of many small commercial businesses, built in many different architectural styles with minimal sign or building design criteria.  The development along Rt. 38 has historically been more investor-driven vs. community-driven.  Barrett briefly discussed the proposed land use districts for Rt. 38. and how each individual district could foster more attractive and desirable development along the Rt. 38 corridor.

 

The committee discussed the principle ingredients of a successful Economic Development Strategy (EDS).   Discussion centered around a forming a viable and committed Economic Development Committee, (EDC), that would consist of 5-6 people who would be the decision making body with regards to economic development for Tewksbury.  Such a committee would need to assess existing conditions, align land use, transportation and infrastructure needs with other regional, county and/or statewide organizations, and specify regulations that are tailored to the wants and needs of Tewksbury, i.e. diversity and design, possibly using the resources of NMCOG and/or MVEDC.  The committee would establish 5, 10 & 20 year goals with a clear plan of how to attain those goals.  Since not all of the Master Plan members were in attendance during this discussion, the committee felt that deciding the exact makeup of the EDC should be done at the next scheduled meeting.  Barrett discussed the successful economic development strategies of Haverhill and Andover MA as good examples of local towns that have utilized an organized EDS to promote and market their towns to attract new and desirable businesses, tourists and residents. 

 

 

 

 

  1. Land Use Study Group

 

Sadwick discussed how with input from Reed and Sweet that he felt the committee should discuss forming a study group to conduct a separate formal review process to address land use for Sutton Brook (aka Rocco’s), and the North St./Andover St. areas.  The committee agreed and decided that the study group should be a sub group of the Master Plan Committee, with the goal of the sub group running on a parallel track with the Master plan.  It is the committee’s  hope that the sub group would be able to get up and running by this August and be ready to synch up with the Master Plan as it is finalized and comes before Town Meeting next spring.  Makeup of the sub group would be two members from the Master Plan Committee with up to 3 additional members.  The proposed sub group was approved in a unanimous vote by a motion by Gill and seconded by Duffy.

 

  1. Land Use Element

 

Barrett discussed the 5 major land use goals that have emerged from the Town’s visioning process and Master Plan meetings to date.  COG feels that:

 

  1. Tewksbury needs to be much more conscious of Wetland and Resource Protection
  2. Tewksbury needs to be more conscious of, and more conscientious about, Open Space
  3. Route 38 needs major attention, and not just with regards to zoning
  4. Tewksbury has the dilemma of a lot of IH zoned land, a lot of which is abutting residentially zoned land 
  5. Tewksbury needs affective ways to ward off large impact affordable housing complexes 

 

The committee will continue to review the Land Use draft.  Sweet suggested that each committee member drive Rt. 38 and look at where the proposed districts are currently proposed.  Send any comments to Sadwick prior to the June 30th meeting.  A few typos in the land use element were noted, to which the committee decided that all typos found on the final draft elements be forwarded to Sadwick who will maintain the hard copy list for COG. 

 

Land Use Element Typos:

 

Page 6:  Second paragraph, “Sullivan Street”, confirm if it is “Street” or should it be “Parkway”?

Page 8:  Sixth line down, word should be “far”, not “farm”

Page 25: Third paragraph, Route “28”, should be Route “38”

 

  1. Next Scheduled Meeting

 

The next scheduled meeting will be Monday, June 30th at the Police Station at 7pm.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm by a motion from Reed, and seconded by Duffy.