People Turn Out for Master Plan Committee Meeting

The Master Plan Committee will review concerns residents brought up last night at the committee's last public input session regarding the town's master plan.

Committee Chairman Jim Lane said about 50 people showed up to listen to and submit ideas they would like to see in the document that will steer the direction of the town.

"People were concerned about 280 and 284 Chelmsford St., which is near Anton's Cleaners and Market Basket," said Lane, adding the addresses could be used as a potential for residential redevelopment.

Concerns about Chelmsford Street traffic congestion also came up at the meeting, Lane said, particularly regarding the planned Stop and Shop, the site of the old cinema, across from Mrs. Nelson's Candy House.

"The site plan for Stop and Shop was approved several years ago and Market Basket has had an appeal in court to prevent this site from being developed. That appeal has since been settled and Stop and Shop can now build under the previously approved site plan," he said. " ...  The master plan can't go backwards and change an approved site plan for this parcel because their are traffic concerns today from the public perspective. We can only look forward."

Residents also said they would like to see a bylaw requiring buffer zones between residential and commercial or industrial businesses, Lane said. The Planning Board will hire a consultant to help write the bylaw, he said.

Overall, Lane said the committee received positive feedback on the draft master plan. The meeting lasted a little less than three hours, he said.

"People were receptive to its implementation," Lane said, adding there will be a Master Plan Implementation Steering Committee.

That committee will consist of two Planning Board members, Town Manager Paul Cohen, one Zoning Board of Appeals member, one Conservation Commission member, one Community Preservation Committee member, one Town Meeting representative and one resident, Lane said. Cohen will appoint both the Town Meeting rep and the resident to serve on the board, and selectmen will confirm those appointments, Lane said.

This week, the Master Plan Committee will review all of the suggestions and modify the document.

On Oct. 4, Lane will present the final document to the Board of Selectmen, and on Oct. 6, he will present it to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will vote as to whether or not they endorse the document, Lane said.

"We'll also make a presentation at the Oct. 18 Town Meeting," said Lane.