2011-11-22CITY OF BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
Planning Board
None
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
LOCATION: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Richard Dinkin, Vice Chairman John Thomson,
Michael O'Brien, Charles Harris, Ellen Hutchinson, Ellen
Flannery, David Mack, James Matz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Planning Director, Leah Zambernardi
RECORDER: Diana Ribreau
Dinkin called the Regular Meeting of Beverly Planning Board to order at 7:35 p.m.
Subdivision Approval Not Required Plans (SANR's)
None
New or Other Business
a. Set date and location for January and February Meetings
Zambernardi informed the Board that City Council has the City Council Chambers reserved for
the 3 rd Tuesday in both January and February. The Planning Board has been asked to choose an
alternative location and /or date for these meetings. The Board unanimously decided to keep the
Regular Planning Board time and dates of January 17, 2012 and February 21, 2012 to be held at
the Beverly Public Library rather than City Council Chambers.
b. Set date and location for Holiday Gathering
The Planning Board agreed to have Zambernardi contact either Wild Horse Cafe or Soma for
availability to tentatively hold the annual Holiday Gathering on December 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Zambernardi said she would notify board members once set.
Set Public Hearing Date — Modification to Wellington Hills Definitive Subdivision Plan
(aka Oak Hill Estates & Wellington Heights) — Roundy Estates, LLC.
Public Meeting Minutes
November 22, 2011
Page 2 of 3
Dinkin reminded the Board that they asked for the City Solicitor's opinion on whether or not to
hold a Public Hearing for the matter. A copy of the City Solicitor's response was previously
distributed. The City Solicitor determined that a Public Hearing should be held. Dinkin said that
members of the public and representatives for the applicant are able to pick up a copy of the City
Solicitor's response at City Hall.
Thomson made a motion to set a Public Hearing for the Regular Planning Board Meeting
dated December 20, 2011 at 7:45 p.m. Motion seconded by Hutchinson. Motion carried 7-
0 -0.
Discussion: Proposed Amendments to "Open Space Residential Design (OSRD) Site Plan
Ordinance Rules and Regulations.
Zambernardi began by reminding the Board that copies of the proposed amendments were
included in Appendix D of last month's meeting.
Zambernardi gave an overview of the applicability section of the proposed OSRD Ordinance.
The discussion at the last meeting was to include or not include R15 and R22 Zones as being
subject to the Ordinance. The current Ordinance includes both zones however the proposed
OSRD excludes R15 and R22 Zones. R45 and R90 Zones would still be subject to the
Ordinance.
Zambernardi presented copies of a report showing the lots that would be subject to the proposed
OSRD Ordinance.
Dinkin stated that as a matter of general applicability, he is reluctant to exclude R22 from the
Ordinance because it only currently applies to one portion of the City. He added that he is less
reluctant to exclude R15.
Thomson stated that he would prefer that both the R15 and R22 Zones stay in the Ordinance.
He feels it is necessary to hold a public policy debate to determine. Thomson stated that the
language they propose to the City Council should be broader rather than narrowing down the
zoning areas that apply.
Dinkin stated that R10 Zone presents too many challenges to include it in the Ordinance.
Dinkin agreed with Thomson that language is needed in the draft to open it up to public
discussion without requiring another public hearing if it is amended during the process.
Hutchinson asked for clarification on whether the definition of a covered project. Hutchinson
added that she felt the current language was very ambiguous.
Board members discussed several scenarios with a 10 -acre threshold with respect to number of
units, buildable area, wetlands, or other restricted areas. Based on the discussion and scenarios
presented, Thomson suggested that a lower acreage threshold be placed in the Ordinance of
possibly 5 acres. Dinkin agreed that 5 or 7 acres makes more sense to determine if it is a
meaningful open space lot and hearing what the public has to say is appropriate.
Public Meeting Minutes
November 22, 2011
Page 3 of 3
Matz raised the question if the acreage calculation is including wetlands or other protected areas.
Thomson replied that 50% of the buildable area has to be open for open space. Thomson added
that the starting point is 50 %. However, the Board has authority to waive the percentage down.
Zambernardi stated that the proposed language directs the Planning Board to look at the Purposes
Section of Ordinance for criteria to decide whether or not to waive the open space requirement.
Matz requested clarification on the remaining bullet points listed in the staff report under the
discussion for the OSRD Ordinance. Thomson responded.
Zambernardi agreed to resend updated tables to reflect the proposal for a 5 -acre threshold in the
R15, R22, R45 and R90 zones and to present those changes at the next meeting.
Approval of Minutes dated July 19, 2011 and September 13, 2011 Meetings
July 19, 2011 Planning Board Minutes:
Flannery, Thomson and Matz made recommendations for edits to the minutes.
Flannery made a motion to approve the minutes with the recommended changes dated
July 19, 2011 and September 13, 2011. Motion seconded by Harris. Motion carried 7 -0 -0.
Adiournment
Matz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion seconded by Thomson.
Motion carried 7 -0 -0.
. The meeting was later rescheduled to January 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.