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2002-04-11 CITY OF BEVERLY Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE.: DATE: April 11, 2002 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Master Plan Steering Committee BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Goodenough, Scott Houseman, Virginia McGlynn, Wendy Pearl, Donald Preston, Larry Ralph, George Simon, John Thomson, Maureen Troubetaris, John Young BOARD MFMBERS ABSENT: Joanne Avallon, William Delaney, Richard Dinkin, Wendy Frontiero, John Murray, Bruce Oveson, William Rodenbaugh ALSO PRESENT: Planning Director Debra Hurlburt, Ken Buckland of The Cecil Group RECORDER: Karen Bradley Welcome Buckland calls the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Discussion: Final comments from public presentation Buckland makes the suggestion that any comments that have been received from the public presentation be added to the Master Plan as an appendix. He states that the entire Master Plan process has taken almost four years and is of the opinion that this segment of the process has been exhausted. He states that is would be more appropriate to move onto the implementation phase at this point in time. Buckland asks for the opinion of the committee members on the best way to handle the final comments. Thomson states that be cannot speak on the public hearing since he was not in attendance but states that the comments were all very thoughtful of the Master Plan. He speaks specifically on the comments received about the Harbor Plan and states that he has concern for the lack of information about the Harbor Plan. He is in agreement with the use of an appendix for the public comments. Troubetaris states that the City Council has reviewed the Harbor Plan last week. She states that the plan is available, however the fimds are not. Troubetaris states that the waterfront needs to generate income and the city cannot afford to fund the entire waterfront project. Simon asks if the city were to tear down the existing building on the waterfront, could it be replaced without violating Chapter 91. Buckland states that he is unsure and reminds the committee that the requirements for Chapter 91 are very restrictive. Buckland states that the use of the waterfront area should become one of the city's first priorities. A detailed discussion takes place on the state of the waterfront. Master Plan Steering Committee minutes April 11, 2OO2 meeting Page two Troubetaris states that the Harbor Management Plan is available at City Hall. She states that it would be a good idea for members of the MPSC to attend the next Legal Affairs and Accounts meeting on April 22, 2002. She states that the City Council is presently discussing what the best reuse of the property near the airport will be. She states that the idea of a Senior Development project is not the best reuse for that property. I-Iurlburt states that the Planning Board is of the opinion that the Master Plan should run its course and then if rezoning is appropriate it will be addressed at a later time. McGlynn asks if the minutes from that Planning Board meeting could be released to the City Council. Hurlburt states that once the minutes are approved at the next meeting she will forward them to the City Coundl. Troubetaris stresses the importance for the City as a whole to be informed of the purpose of the Master Plan. Preston states that the "What comes next?" steps should be laid out and be included in the Master Plan process. Young states that he has concerns about the environment with respect to the Master Plan. He states that the language regarding the Watershed should be revisited. He also voices concern for the language in the Housing section when defining a slum. Ralph states thst he is concerned for the preservation of the historic waterfront. A discussion takes place regarding the historic aspects of the waterfront and inclusionary zoning. Buckland suggests the idea of utilizing a concentrated development core. He explains that this will create less density outside of the city core. Houseman states that the city nmst be mindful of overpopulating an already dense area of the city. Goodenongh states that she cannot envision expanding anymore in the downtown area. She is of the opinion that affordable housing should be spread throughout the city. Preston states that many long-time community residents own rental units in the city. He states that if zoning controls are put into place, properties will be better maintained. Pearl states that it would be a good idea to seamlessly integrate multi-unit housing with hopes.to make more connections between historic preservation and multi-unit housing. Buckland states that an addendum added at the end of the Master Plan addressing the issues of the harbor, the environment and housing would he appropriate based on comments raised this evening. Master Plan Steering Committee minutes Page three Houseman asks Buckland which approach would be the most appropriate, changing the language of the document itself to reflect responses to comments that have been received, or adding an addendum. Buckland is of the opinion that responding to the comments in an addendum would be the most appropriate. He states thst this approach will reinforce that public comments have been considered in the process. A discussion takes place regarding modification of the Mission Statement. It is decided that modifying the Mission Statement goes against the entire process. Troubetaris states that the water supply should be addressed. She states that all development should be considered in light of global warming and visions in this city should change. Discussion: final Master Plan document and next step Buck]and states that the budget for the Master Plan project has been expended and the process should move forward. Pearl suggests using a "How to use the Plan" handbook to provide background information that explains that each section of the Master Plan does not stand alone for implementation. Goodenough states that the Master Plan has to be wrapped up and go through the process. She states that with respect to the Harbor Plan, she does not want to endorse something that has not been reviewed. Ralph states a good amount of changes within the Master Plan will require zoning changes. He is of the opinion that an explanation of how zoning changes are made would be beneficial and should be included in the handbook mentioned by Pearl. Buckland recommends sending out a letter along with the Master Plan that explains how to use the Master Plan that also includes an explanation of special use zoning. The committee is in agreement to do so. Buckland states that the committee should decide what role they will have in the implementation process. Troubetaris asks if this committee could stay in tact and continue with the process of implementation. Goodenongh states that the official role of the MPSC ends when the Master Plan is submitted to the Planning Board. She states the MPSC can recommend to the City Council to organize a "Watch Dog Committee". Master Plan Steering Committee minutes April 11, 2002 meeting · Page four Troubetaris asks Thomson what process the Planning Board will take once this is presented to them. Thomson states that if the Planning Board adopts the Master Plan they will make a recommendation to the City Council. Thomson is of the opinion that this committee should meet again in six months to check on what progress is being made. Preston states that when the Master Plan is presented to the Planning Board, the idea of an Implementation Committee should be recommended. Hurlburt makes the following statements: 1. Comprehensive rezoning is the first thing to move forward. She states that staffing the Planning Department is key to the implementation of comprehensive rezoning. 2. Due to budgat constraints, not much will happen within the first year of implementation. A great deal of issues within the Master Plan are tied to funding. The committee discusses and agrees that a specific statement should be made in the letter from the MPSC stating that the Harbor Plan has not been released and the MPSC has not endorsed the plan. Buckland states that he would like to see this committee stay in place and work through the process of implementation. Pearl recommends that the MPSC become a "Core for a Public Coalition" to guide the process in order to build a broader base for advocacy. Hurlburt informs the committee that she has received an entail from Mary Rodrick urging the MPSC to schedule another public hearing prior to forwarding the Master Plan to any city officials. Hurlburt stresses the importance of responding to each comment that has been received and provide information of where the information was found within the Master Plan. Buckland states that he will complete the following: A letter to the Planning Board, City Council and the Mayor describing how to use the Master Plan including an explanation of how the comprehensive zoning changes will take place. This letter will include the aforementioned statement regarding the Harbor Plan. 2. A request for the official recognition and continuation of the role of the MPSC. 3. An appendix incorporating all comments received since the public hearing with responses from the MPSC. Master Plan Steering Committee minutes April 11, 2002 meeting Page five Ralph states that the Master Plan builds on other commissions (i.e. Open Space and Recreation Committee) and this point should be referenced in the letter. Pearl states that the "Ten Guiding Principles" seems to have gotten lost and is of the opinion that it is important to reiterate those principles. She suggests including them in the letter. Hurlburt states that she will schedule the public hearing for May or June. The next meeting for the MPSC is scheduled for October 10, 2002. Renee Mary, 274 Hale Street, requests the specifics on the proposed zoning changes. She states that she has concerns as for traffic and the water supply as a result of the proposed zoning changes. Approval of Minutes January 10, 2002. February 7, 2002 and March 7, 2002 Some of the oommittee mernbers submit changes to Hurlburt for the January through March meetings: John Thomson and George Simon were not present at the public hearing. Houseman: motion to approve the meeting minutes dated January 10, 2002, February 7, 2002 and March 7, 2002 as amended, seconded by Goodenough. All members in favor. Motion carries. The meeting is adjourned at 8:55 p.m.