City of Methuen Master Plan

Methuen Master Plan 2007
methods as outlined in the Smart Growth Toolkit as provided by the State of Massachusetts. As stated
in the Toolkit, Low Impact Development is a more sustainable land development pattern that results
from a site planning process that first identifies critical natural resources, then determines appropriate
building envelopes. LID also incorporates a range of best management practices (BMPs) that preserve
the natural hydrology of the land.
SUMMARY OF NATURAL RESOURCE FINDINGS
Methuen has a rich natural heritage worthy of recognition and pride. The following is a summary of
some of the most important considerations for the development of the master plan.
Soil limitations, especially slope mean that many areas are poorly suited for development. Wetlands,
streams, ponds and water supplies need to be carefully monitored to prevent contamination from
contaminants.
Methuen still has some important agricultural areas that have not been developed and are in need of
protection if the city wishes to preserve some of its agricultural heritage. These scattered agricultural
areas are both important to wildlife and provide part of the distinctive character of the city.
Several of the city’s ponds and streams offer good fishing and serve as wildlife corridors. Access to
these resources needs to be protected and in some cases improved.
The protection of upland forests will help preserve some of the city’s character. Much of Methuen’s
wildlife diversity is a result of its variety of habitat types. Maintenance of that diversity requires
protection of both small and large areas of different habitats; non-forested wetlands, forested uplands,
open/vacant areas, and open space corridors that make connections between areas.
One vital aspect of retaining the city’s semi-rural quality lies in retaining some of the visual impact of the
city’s forested land. Forests on hills are particularly desirable, since such land is both highly visible and
highly vulnerable to development pressures and its concomitant erosion and runoff problems.
Methuen’s steep slopes and changes in topography contribute to the importance of these hills.
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
Methuen completed an update of its Open Space and Recreation Plan in May 2001. The plan is briefly
summarized below. A section on implications for the master plan will follow this summary of the open
space plan.
Open Space and Recreation Plan – 2000-2005 Update
General Features
The Methuen Open Space and Recreation Plan (Open Space Plan) was developed by an Open Space
and Recreation Planning Committee with the participation of Community Development Department,
the Conservation Commission, the Historic District Commission, the Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission, the Recreation Department, the Forest Lake Association, the City Council, the mayor, and
two representatives of concerned citizens. Protection of open space and historic resources was clearly
viewed as an important means to maintain some of the character of the city’s past.
The Open Space Plan reflects the residents’ strong desire for protecting natural resources as a means of
preserving some of the communities most recognizable open space assets, like wetlands, water bodies,
forested areas, and meadows as wildlife habitats and areas for passive recreation and environmental
Page 132