Planning Board Meeting

The meeting was devoted primarily to a presentation of the iAmesbury (2030) Master Plan by the task force co-chairs and subsequent board and public comment. The task force described the plan as a community-driven update to the 2004 Master Plan with priorities informed by listening sessions, existing plans, and a focus on equity, health, resilience, and sustainability. Presenters noted that some implementation work has already begun (e.g., Lake Gardner work, ADU ordinance, a sidewalk grant, Community Preservation Act approval) and that an implementation spreadsheet will be used to assign departmental leads and to track readiness.

Board members and members of the public raised formatting and data concerns (maps and charts lacking dates or legibility, typos, unclear survey response rates), questioned specifics in the economic and housing sections (including inclusionary zoning and payment-in-lieu calculations), and requested clearer prioritization and responsibility assignments in the implementation plan. There was discussion about downtown/Lower Millyard emphasis, outdated business data, and the need to view goals through climate resiliency and permitting lenses. The Board agreed that substantive changes should be discussed publicly rather than submitted unilaterally; members were asked to submit all comments (typos separately) to the planning office by Monday, May 6 at 9:00 AM. The Board voted to continue formal consideration of the Master Plan at a later date (in consultation with the 2030 Task Force). Separately, the Board voted (7-0) to hold the May 13, 2024 meeting in person while attempting to provide remote access for Board members or applicants if requested at least 72 hours in advance.