05.01.23 BPB Minutes Final CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMISSION: Planning Board
DATE: May 1, 2023
LOCATION: City Hall Conference Room A
Social Media Platform: N/A
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellen Hutchinson (Chair), Derek Beckwith (Vice-Chair), Ellen
Flannery, George Gomes, Sarah Bartley, Wayne Miller
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rodney Sinclair
STAFF PRESENT: Kenneth Clawson, Assistant Director of Planning
OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Thomas Alexander
Applicant Robert Boudreau
RECORDER: Kenneth Clawson
These minutes are for the continuation of a joint public hearing for a zoning change for the property
located at 8 Summit Avenue from RMD to CC with the Beverly City Council on May 1s', 2023. The
minutes for the portion of the public hearing that was conducted with the City Council can be found in
the May 1" City Council meeting minutes.
Chair Hutchinson reconvenes the public hearing for a zoning change for the property located at 8
Summit Avenue from RMD to CC in City Hall Conference Room A.
Vice-Chair Beckwith asks the applicant Robert Boudreau and Attorney Thomas Alexander if the
proposed parking would only be patrons of the Anchor Pub and Grille (Anchor). Mr. Alexander says that
the parking would only be for Anchor patrons. Beckwith continues his question by asking that if during
snow emergencies would consideration be given to allow local residents to use the parking lot. Mr.
Alexander replies that he cannot answer the question without consulting insurance company
information.
Chair Hutchinson asks how the parking will be enforced that it is for patrons of the Anchor only. Mr.
Alexander responds that they will use signage that puts the public on notice that the parking is only for
patrons of the Anchor and employees and that the right exists to have vehicles towed with an
arrangement with a towing company. Mr. Boudreau adds that the Anchor has only had one car towed
from an Anchor parking facility after the car had been left there for five days.
Vice-Chair Beckwith states that for any potential use there is not much difference in changing the zoning
from RMD to CC because the CC zone still borders the RMD zone. Chair Hutchinson then states that if
the Special Permit were to be granted for the parking lot if the zoning change is approved, any future
use would have to come back to the Planning Board to modify the Special Permit.
Wayne Miller asks if the Anchor has any designated parking for employees or do the employees just use
any parking lot that the Anchor controls. Mr. Boudreau states that the Anchor leases 17 Cox Court with
6 spaces and during the summer months leases an additional 8 spaces at 8 Cabot Street so there is more
than enough parking for the Anchor employees. Mr. Alexander then tells the Planning Board about a
separate Special Permit application for 14 additional parking spaces at the property located at
Planning Board
May 1, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 2
Ellingwood Court and Congress Street through a lease with the MBTA. Vice-Chair Beckwith asks if the
properties located at 8 Summit Avenue and Ellingwood Court and Congress Street are contiguous. Mr.
Alexander indicates that they are not. Vice-Chair Beckwith asks if the Ellingwood Court and Congress
Street is already in the CC zone and Mr. Alexander confirms that it is.
Sarah Bartley asks if the lot would be large enough to build any type of structure for the parking, or solar
panels like what is built at Beverly High School, or would it allow for anything else other than just to put
cars there. Mr. Alexander says that if financial numbers made sense that they could put solar panels
there but they have not looked into that. Chair Hutchinson points out that the lot is only 6,500 s.f. and
Mr.Alexander answers that no structured parking could fit on the lot.
Motion: Vice-Chair Beckwith moves to close the Public Hearing for 8 Summit Avenue. Ellen
Flannery seconds. Motion carries 6-0.
Motion: Vice-Chair Beckwith motions that the Planning Board recommend to City Council that
the zoning change from RMD to CC for 8 Summit Avenue be APPROVED. Ellen Flannery seconds.
Motion carries 6-0.
Motion: Vice-Chair Beckwith motions to adjourn. Ellen Flannery seconds. Motion carries 6-0.