Methuen board adopts multifamily design guidelines; 47 Lowell special-permit tabled for lack of quorum

Methuen — The Methuen Community Development Board on July 9 adopted a set of multifamily overlay district design guidelines intended to guide future multifamily and mixed-use projects citywide. The board voted to adopt the document after a presentation by Emily Ennis of Ennis Associates and a short discussion of how the guidelines would be applied.

Emily Ennis, principal at Ennis Associates, told the board the guidelines flow from the city’s MBTA Communities Act work and aim “for high quality context sensitive housing development in Methuen, that fit with the city's long term goals for livability, inclusivity, and resilience.” Ennis outlined three subareas covered by the guidelines — Riverside Drive, the Pleasant Valley Corridor and Colonial Village — and described design components such as building orientation, entrances, rooflines, materials, site placement, parking, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and provisions to support transit access.

City staff emphasized the document is guidance, not a replacement for zoning or building codes. Kathleen Caldwell, city staff, said the guidelines “are guidelines. They're not regulations,” and described them as a tool the board can use when reviewing applications and discussing design with applicants and the community.

Board members asked how strictly the guidelines could be enforced. Kathleen Caldwell replied it would depend on the specific zoning context — noting differences between the 40R Smart Growth District and MBTA community zoning — and that guidelines alone would be a difficult sole basis to deny an application but would inform conversations about neighborhood compatibility and site design.

The board member Heather Plunkett moved to adopt the guidelines as presented; William Forbes seconded. A roll-call vote recorded the members present voting in favor; the motion carried unanimously among those in attendance.

Votes at a glance - Adopt multifamily overlay district design guidelines: motion by Heather Plunkett; second by William Forbes; outcome: approved (unanimous among members present). - Table acceptance of May 14 meeting minutes: motion by Heather Plunkett; second by William Forbes; outcome: tabled. - Table 47 Lowell Street preservation special-permit discussion to the next meeting: motion by William Forbes; second by Heather Plunkett; outcome: tabled because the permit requires five board members to decide and only four were present. - Adjournment: motion by Heather Plunkett; second by William Forbes; outcome: approved.

The board also moved to table a preservation special-permit discussion for 47 Lowell Street because "this permit requires five members to vote, and we only have four this evening," Chairman DeFeo said. The item will return at the next regular meeting or at a specially called meeting when a full complement of members is available.

The meeting concluded with thanks to Ennis and her team. The session adjourned at 6:55 p.m.