2001-03-15 Economic development CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
Master Plan Workshop - Economic Development
BOARD: Master Plan Steering Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: March 15, 2001
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Joanne Avallon, Scott Houseman, Larry Ralph, William
Rodenbaugh, John Young, Maureen Troubctaris, John
Thomson, Wendy Pearl, George Simon, Bruce Oveson,
Virginia McGlynn, Donald Preston, John Murray
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Wendy Frontiero, Richard Dinkin
OTHERS PRESENT: Tina Cassidy, Planning Director and Ken Buckland, The Cecil Group
RECORDER: Jeannine Dion
Cassidy introduces herself and welcomes all people attending the workshop. She introduces the
members of the Master Plan Steering Committee and consultants from the Cecil Group and RKG
Associates.
Cassidy introduces Ken Buckland from the Cecil Group and he provides an overview of the
Master Plan process and the Alternatives being discussed pertaining to Economic Development.
There are three Alternatives:
1) Amenities and Quality of Life
The ultimate priority under this alternative is maximizing and enhancing the quality of life of the
residents of Beverly. Economic development actions must he in concert with this objective.
2) Public Facility Improvements
Use infrastructure improvements to serve economic development.
Master Plan Workshop - Transportation and Infrastructure.
March 15, 2001
Page 2
3) Economic Development
Under this alternative, the City would develop as a regional economic center to broaden the tax
base.
The meeting breaks into small group discussion. When the meeting reconvenes, each table
reports its findings on the top five recommendations on actions the City should take with respect
to economic development.
Table 1
· Advocate the "New England" architectural style for new developments rather than the
"west coast" style.
· Evaluate traffic lmpacts when considering expansion.
· Streamline the site and development processes (i.e. "one stop shopping" when changes
are proposed to residential or commercial sites).
Development should be appropriate and existing businesses should he preserved
· More parking is headed.
· Consider alternative transportation.
· Explore tourism and cultural potential (riverfront, downtown, historic and education
venueS).
· Gateways to the city. Target the appropriate sites for specific development (hotels, etc.)
Table 2
· Open up the waterfront area for mixed use and public access (harbor, Bass River, etc.).
· Exploit art institutions - promoting Beverly as a cultural destination.
· Encourage redevelopment of older and underutilized areas under design review standards.
· Establish a"streetscape" program- making the city more user-friendly and attractive.
· Implement scheduled infrastructure improvements and tax advantages.
Table 3
· Encourage tourism, promoting Beverly as a garden city. Bank on Beverly assets using
collective resources and adding public transit.
· Connect the harbor front to downtown to River Street through zoning changes (hotels,
etc.).
· More coordination between boards so they are not in conflict.
· Develop downtown properties without expanding commercial zones.
· Promote mixed uses (both commercial and neighborhood uses).
· Protect water supply.
· Restrict access to Wenham Lake.
Master Plan Workshop- Transportation and Infrastructure
March 15, 2001
Page 3
Table 4
Review and study the possible zoning changes (CN zoning districts, "IR" zoned land near
Gordon College).
· Establish redevelopment zones in the downtown area.
Cost benefit analysis of the Route 128 overpass.
· Enforce zoning regulations (green space, buffer zones, etc.)
· Waterfront is under performing resource (encourage tourism, residential, etc.).
· Create design standards (sign regulations, buffer zones, no drive-throughs, etc.) to
maintain the historic charm of neighborhoods and protect the residential character.
Table
· Keep the character of Beverly.
Focus development on reuse.
· High quality streetscapes and waterfront access.
Controlled tourism.
· Control development imparts on natural resources.
Develop enough to support the schools.
· Balance need for affordable housing with economic development.
Table 6
No more land area for future economic development. Ensure environmental standards and
controls are in place.
Redevelop the downtown and Bass River areas. Zone for mixed uses with height
limitations and facade improvements.
· Parking garage is needed near the main train station.
· Public transportation is underutilized and more should be done to encourage its use.
· Infrastructure - poor roads, sidewalks, streetscapes, lighting and not pedestrian friendly.
Buckland thanks all who participated in the workshop and announces that the Open Space and
Residential Development workshop is scheduled to take place on March 29, 2001 here at the
Senior Center.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:15 p.m.