Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middleton advisory committee outlines scope, schedule for North Main (Route 114) corridor study
Summary
The North Main Corridor Study Advisory Committee agreed May 7 to inventory parcels, clarify zoning constraints, and pursue public outreach; the committee set research for June'August, a public session in September, a draft in October and final recommendations by December 2026.
The North Main Corridor Study Advisory Committee met May 7 in Middleton and set a work plan to inventory parcels along North Main (Route 114), clarify zoning constraints and study economic opportunities before forwarding recommendations to the town Planning Board.
"The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to define goals and next steps for a comprehensive review of the North Main (Route 114) Corridor and to understand current land use and zoning," Anna Bury-Carmer, Planning Director, said as she opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. She presented a zoning map and said 62 lots have frontage on the corridor: 22 residential, 25 commercial and/or light industrial, and 15 forested.
Committee members outlined several tasks for the coming months. Kosta Prentakis, Select Board member, urged following existing lot lines and checking parcel access to identify properties that require access easements or cross-access. Rob Craig, Planning Board alternate, said the group must clarify what uses are permitted in each zoning district so potential redevelopment aligns with the corridor's character and town needs.
Rich Benevento, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairperson, flagged market and infrastructure issues the committee should weigh, including traffic and state regulations: "If the goal is to increase [the tax base], housing units there for instance, may not work as they could potentially put a strain on the town's resources," he said, and noted the corridor is under the state's jurisdiction and that DOT requirements are likely relevant for prospective projects.
Anthony Gregorio, Planning Board chairperson, suggested reaching out to nearby institutions such as Merrimack College to assess demand for student housing or other partnerships. Town Administrator Justin Sultzbach recommended contacting parcel owners directly to identify obstacles to redevelopment and to determine whether constraints are private or town-related.
On timing, the committee agreed the bulk of data collection and analysis will occur June through August, followed by a public session in September to gather community feedback, a draft recommendation in October and final recommendations in December 2026. Members agreed to meet roughly once a month and set the next meeting for June 11 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
No formal votes or motions were recorded during the session; the committee framed the meeting as an organizational and fact-finding step to prepare recommendations for the Planning Board.
