City of Methuen Master Plan

Methuen Master Plan 2007
Through its regulatory/approvals procedures, the City can ensure that the full complement of
transportation infrastructure (roads, intersections, signals, sidewalks, bike lanes, drop-off areas, etc.) is
adequate to service proposed developments. Frequently, the interpretation of what is “adequate” is at
the heart of the struggle to improve the status quo. Traffic engineers present findings that indicate their
particular project will not substantially worsen an already failing condition. But, especially in the case of
projects allowed only via special permit, the City can legitimately demand that projects contribute to a
solution, without placing an undue burden on a single developer/proposal 3 . To a large degree, the City’s
regulations already call for these measures to be included in proposals that are projected to have an
impact on the surrounding transportation systems; the City merely needs to renew its practice of
consistently requiring improvements. Specific recommendations follow in the transportation and
circulation element of the plan.
The City itself can implement transportation management measures such as: including sidewalks and
bike lanes in roadway maintenance projects wherever possible; supporting the use of transit for its
employees; sponsoring walking and/or biking programs to increase awareness and participation in these
modes of travel; working with regional providers to fine-tune bus routes to maximize the number of
riders; and cooperating closely with the Merrimack Valley Regional Planning Agency in developing
improvements to regional roadways and systems.
3 Massachusetts prohibits the assessment of “impact fees” by municipalities, a land use management tool that is allowed
in many other states. Through case law, the Commonwealth has been clear in making sure that municipalities strictly
confine their mitigation requests to the impacts directly caused by the project; as a result, municipal boards and
commissions often feel limited in their power to shape issues that are external to the project site, as transportation
improvements often are. Nevertheless, special permit and site plan reviews are authorized to impose reasonable
conditions in mitigating impacts.
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