Ordinance and Administration Subcommittee Meeting
The subcommittee reviewed and voted to send Ordinance 2024-096 (expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) back to City Council with a positive recommendation to accept the Planning Board’s March 10, 2025 red-line version.
The Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee met to review Ordinance 2024-096, a proposed amendment to the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance to expand the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District (REDD). Planning Director Nipun Jain presented the history of the project and walked the subcommittee through page-by-page red-line changes prepared by the Planning Board. Key additions to the ordinance include new development and performance standards addressing hazardous materials, energy storage system safety, construction phasing, and ecological assessment requirements; Jain noted the ability to hire outside consultants if an Ecological Assessment Report does not meet the standards and explained that a 300-foot measurement used for abutter lists follows standard best practice.
During public comment, speakers expressed a range of views: a Merrimac official voiced environmental concerns about proximity to drinking water supplies, a representative of the Lake Attitash Association and other residents voiced support for the amended plan and thanked staff, and one resident asked the Council about a local noise ordinance. After discussion, Councilor Rinaldi moved, and Councilor Gilday seconded, to send 2024-096 back to the City Council with a positive recommendation to accept the Planning Board’s March 10, 2025 red-line version; the motion passed 2-0.