City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting addressed a range of zoning, ordinance, budget and public-works items. Councilors approved several ordinance changes including an amendment to the Community Preservation Committee membership (2024-109), revisions to fire safety inspection and permit fees (2024-112, accepted with O&A redline amendments), and amendments to the animal control code to designate the Chief of Police or designee as hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings (2024-114). The Council also approved zoning ordinance amendments affecting cluster residential provisions and the Water Resource Protection District (2024-085), a historic preservation special permit revision (2024-086), and an extension/revision of the Retail Marijuana Overlay District (2024-087, approved as revised). Several budget orders were approved, including two transfers from the FY25 Budget Reserve (2024-110 and 2024-111) and an amendment to the FY2025 Operating Budget (2024-115). The Council appointed Margaret Leahy to the Amesbury Cultural Council (2024-120).

Public hearings produced mixed outcomes: an easement for drainage and utilities at 130 Market St. (2024-097) and two National Grid pole petitions (58 Highland St., 2024-117; 16 South Hunt Rd., 2024-118) were approved with conditions. A proposal to expand the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District (2024-096) drew extensive public opposition—concerns focused on proximity to Lake Attitash, forest clearing, stormwater runoff, and site selection—and the Council left that hearing open and continued consideration to a later date. Other hearings on MBTA-related zoning (2024-098) and cannabis retail limits (2024-099) were continued for further review. Throughout the meeting councilors and staff discussed enforcement access to protected lands, performance standards for renewable projects, and community feedback submitted by local groups.