Planning Board
Planning Board voted to send a positive recommendation to City Council for Bill 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay for the Golden Triangle) and for Bill 2024-099 (limits on retail marijuana licenses); the Board also appointed an MVPC representative and approved a $6,000 bond release for 19 Evans Place.
The Planning Board meeting focused on two zoning amendments and several administrative actions. Staff presented a proposed MBTA Communities overlay (Bill 2024-098) for the Golden Triangle area — describing northern and southern subdistricts, density/dimensional controls, a design handbook/pattern book, anticipated buildable acreage (~25 acres) and an estimated gross yield at 15 units/acre (~435 units) — and recommended adoption to bring Amesbury into compliance with State requirements. Board discussion covered allowable commercial uses, neighborhood connectivity and access, potential conservation of wetlands/open space, Chapter 61A status of parcels, affordability (the proposal includes up to 10% deed-restricted units though not required by state law), and infrastructure/grant implications. After discussion the Board voted 4-1 to send a positive recommendation to City Council for Bill 2024-098 and then voted to close that public hearing.
The Board also considered Bill 2024-099, a zoning amendment to limit the number of retail marijuana licenses in town to encourage a diverse retail mix; staff and legal counsel supported codifying the limit in the zoning code and the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to send a positive recommendation to City Council. Other actions included appointing Keith Ratner as the Board’s MVPC representative, approving release of a $6,000 bond for 19 Evans Place following confirmation from DPW and the Mayor’s Office, cancelling the September 12, 2024 Planning Board meeting, and approving recommended consultant invoices. No members of the public spoke during the open public comment portions of the hearings.