AMPUp Advisory Committee - Jan 22nd, 2026

Meeting held via remote participation. Materials were available from https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/38581/18.

Approval of Minutes

The Committee approved minutes from their December 18, 2025 meeting.

Stantec Update/Plan Strategies Discussion

(Steve Kearney, Stantec) Mr. Kearney says that the comprehensive plan provides long-range policy directions. It will support elements of the more detailed planning work the town has done, such as the Connect Arlington Plan, Housing Production Plan, and the Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Comprehensive Plan will reference that work.

Each chapter will have a similar structure: describing issues and existing conditions, strategies, goals, and the relationship with other plan elements. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability will be woven throughout the chapters.

Stantec has looked at the vision statement. Mr. Kearney tells the committee that the community supported the statement as it was drafted, but Stantec will work with town staff to refine it. The vision statement will be discussed further at our next meeting.

Tonight, the committee reviewed draft goals and strategies for the Mobility, Economic Development, Cultural Resources, and Facilities and Public Services chapter.

Mobility

The draft goals for the mobility section are:

• Increase safety for all roadway users by enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access.
• Manage traffic operations to improve safety, balance local and through trips, and address the needs of all roadway users.
• Actively manage the supply of parking to support businesses, neighborhoods, and new development.

(Ralph DeNisco, Stantec) Mr. DeNisco notes that parking studies and improvements to the intersection of Mass Ave and Appleton are current projects the town is working on. He says that mobility isn't for its own sake; it's there to support everything else we are trying to achieve. Parking is part of mobility. It can be supportive, or it can get in the way.

(Phil Schaeffing, Stantec) Mr. Schaeffing recalls that parking came up in last meetings discussion of housing and the ground floor of mixed-used buildings.

(Ralph DeNisco) Mr. DeNisco says that parking should serve your needs. You shouldn't put parking first and then deal with the fallout. He says that the strategies should be treated as a framework for how things should work out, rather than a to-do list.

Adopting a Vision Zero policy means prioritizing safety and trying to avoid fatalities.

Not every street can do everything, and there can be different corridors for different users. This is what the strategy of formalizing network maps is getting at.

Mobility improvements should be considered as part of the budgeting process.

(Steve Revilak, AmpUp) Mr. Revilak suggests focusing on Broadway for improvements, in addition to Mass Ave. He notes that improvements to Broadway are already on the town's radar.

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says that Arlington has received a $1M grant to spend on multi-modal improvements to Broadway. Her department is currently working on a procurement process with MassDOT.

(Ralph DeNisco) Mr. DeNisco says that strategy M-5 is about connections between Mass Ave and Summer St. This could involve a new connection, or improvements to existing ones.

Strategy M-7 recommends the creation of new parking benefits districts. The town already has a model parking benefits district in Arlington Center.

Strategy M-6 recommends removing the overnight parking bad, to support more housing and new businesses.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak asks if the strategy about working with the MBTA on the Alewife Station redevelopment is still applicable, as the MBTA has canceled their procurement offer.

(Ralph DeNisco) Mr. DeNisco thinks the strategy is applicable. The station garage is deteriorating and he expects the MBTA's redevelopment plans to resurface at some point.

(Eugene Benson, AmpUp) Mr. Benson feels that strategy M-6 doesn't quite align with M-6a. He feels that M-9 needs to involve more than working with the MBTA; we'll have to actively advocate for transit improvements. He thinks Arlington wants more that the 77 bus. For example, the 87's schedule could be modified so that it comes into Arlington more often. He questions whether bus routes to Watertown and Waltham would be beneficial.

(Arthur Prokosch, AmpUp) Mr. Prokosch doesn't see a conflict between M-6 and M-6a. He thinks there would be a benefit to releasing the overnight parking restriction.

(Ralph DeNisco) Mr. DeNisco says that every community wants more service than the T can be deliver. The best way to get something is by being clear and consistent about what you ask for. He says that Watertown invested in a transportation analysis so they could make more concrete recommendations to the MBTA.

Economic Development

The draft economic development goals are:

• Improve regulatory processes to benefit small, independent businesses.
• Increase the buildout potential and value of commercial and industrial properties.
• Promote Arlington's historic and cultural assets to support visitor-based economic development.
• Improve the customer experience through streetscape improvements, wayfinding, parking, and access upgrades.
• Create and support organizational capacity related to economic development.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says the first few strategies focus on making the regulatory process more business friendly. The next few address capacity, and what role the town should play in encouraging economic development. The town may need to make targeted investments in order to move the needle on economic development. Other strategies are connected to tourism and history, signage and wayfinding, and the creation of business improvement districts. Staff suggested the town create a strategic economic development plan, which could provide more focused strategies.

(Dave Fatula, AmpUp) Mr. Fatula asks who would be involved in strategy ED-5, and how it would work.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says that's part of the discussion about budget allocations for economic development. However, there can be other funding sources.

(Dave Fatula) Mr. Fatula asks what kind of volunteer model we have, in relation to strategy ED-8.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says there is a volunteer business organization in Arlington Center. East Arlington used to have a similar organization, until the volunteers moved on.

(Steve Kearney) Mr. Kearney says there are both effective and ineffective volunteer organizations. He thinks it would be worthwhile to include a short case study that highlights an effective one.

(Dave Fatula) Mr. Fatula would like to make three points. First, there should be a strategy about improving communications and marketing, because that's a big issue. Second, there should be something that speaks to infrastructure investment and the economies of thriving business districts. Third, Arlington struggles with commercial landlords, especially when it comes to filling vacancies and keeping their storefronts in good repair.

(Steve Kearney) Mr. Kearney says that all three of those points are great.

Historic and Cultural Resources

The draft goals for the Historic and Cultural Resources chapter are:

• Preserve and promote historic and diverse cultural resources in all neighborhoods.
• Provide space for arts and cultural activities for all ages.
• Provide a variety of attractive, well-maintained public spaces.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says the list of strategies includes building on the Arlington 250 campaign, adding self-guided tours for visitors and new members of the community, securing funding sources, increasing staff capacity, and increasing the diversity of people planning events and doing art installations.

(Ann LeRoyer, AmpUp) Ms. LeRoyer thinks the strategies are focused more on arts and less on historic preservation. She'd like to see more of a balance. She says there are four historic museums in town, which already work together. She'd like to see something about the preservation of historic business districts, and something to help historic homeowners better understand their properties. She says the previous comprehensive plan recommended a number of studies.

(Paul Selker, AmpUp) Mr. Selker asks if the Historic Districts Commission would fit under this area. He thinks that commission is out of control, and they tend to insult applicants. Mr. Selker says he's very proud of Arlington's historical heritage, but the American Revolution isn't our only source of history.

(Eugene Benson) Mr. Benson thinks there's too much emphasis on 1775. The Schwamb Mill is a historic resource, but we don't align it with the American Revolution. He thinks there should be more focus on the town's overall history.

(Ann LeRoyer) Ms. LeRoyer thinks that HC-1 should say "Robbins Library", as that's the historic library in town.

(Dave Fatula) Mr. Fatula isn't sure what momentum of the Arlington 250 campaign we have to build on.

(Arthur Prokosch) Mr. Prokosch asks why HC-12 is being removed.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says the town did an accessibility and planning study in 2019. It seemed like the strategy was done, or already being advanced.

(Arthur Prokosch) Mr. Prokosch suggests having a strategy to continue with the execution of that plan.

Public Facilities and Services

The draft goals for the public facilities and services chapter are:

• Coordinate and efficiently deliver Town services.
• Build, operate, and maintain public facilities that are attractive, minimize environmental impact, and help connect Arlington as a community.
• Direct public facility investments through a long-term capital planning process that anticipates future needs.
• Maintain and beautify our public parks, trails, play areas, and streetscapes.
• Support Arlington Public Schools and enhance educational opportunities for all.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says this chapter is focused on town-owned buildings and spaces. The strategies deal with energy efficiency, considering future needs in capital plans, expanding online permitting to more town services, considering the lifecycle costs for new projects, sustainability and resiliency, and electrification and air quality. He notes that the schools have a separate process and their own strategic plan.

(Lillian Hartman, AmpUp) Ms. Hartman asks if Arlington has interdepartmental meetings. She thinks strategy PF-1 isn't appropriate for a master plan.

(Steve Kearney) Mr. Kearney says that strategy would not be unique to Arlington. Every community can improve their interdepartmental efforts.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says that Arlington has regular department head meetings. In the last few years, Arlington established a cross-department committee to review development proposals. She thinks the town does a good job of getting department heads talking to one another.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak notes that the Ottoson Middle School is nearing its end of life. He asks if rebuilding the middle school would warrant a strategy item.

(Lillian Hartman) Ms. Hartman says the school district is going through the MSBA process for that.

(Dave Fatula) Mr. Fatula asks if soccer fields would be considered "public facilities".

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says that could be under public facilities or open space.

(Dave Fatula) Mr. Fatula thinks the fields are below-average for everyone, and there should be some resources to maintain them. Some of the fields are dangerous. Arlington has a huge and successful youth soccer program and we should have fields to match. He thinks field maintenance belongs in the public facilities chapter.

(Ann LeRoyer) Ms. LeRoyer has a question about next steps. She thinks Stantec's feedback form is limited and wonders if we could have an editing subcommittee.

(Steve Kearney) Mr. Kearney says resolving differences in opinion can be challenging.

(Ann LeRoyer) Ms. LeRoyer asks if the sub-committee could have less than a quorum of committee member.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says we could do something like that, and she offers to host an editing session. Town Counsel has informed her that committee members can't work on shared documents or pass comments back and forth. That would be considered deliberation, and a violation of open meeting law.

(Cheryl Miller, AmpUp) Ms. Miller suggests adding the DEI department as a partner for strategy PF-10.

(Arthur Prokosch) Mr. Prokosch suggests adding some sort of symbology to the table, to indicate strategies that have DEI or sustainability aspects.

(Lillian Hartman) Ms. Hartman asks if there should be something about town financial strategies.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing says that sort of thing sometimes goes under facilities and services. It can also be included in the implementation section, as finances will affect implementation.

(Lillian Hartman) Ms. Hartman suggests not putting finances in the implementation section. She thinks Arlington has its act together financially.

(Phil Schaeffing) Mr. Schaeffing thinks it would be worthwhile to highlight that as one of Arlington's distinguishing features. He asks committee members to submit further comments in the next few days.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says she'll try to find a time to work on editing next week.

Meeting adjourned at 19:44.