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HDC - 12-19-19 - ApprovedCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Historic District Commission DATE: December 19, 2019 LOCATION: Council Chamber, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Chair Suzanne LaMont, Vice -Chair Caroline Mason Wendy Pearl OTHERS PRESENT: Community Preservation Committee; Peter Benton of Heritage Strategies LLC; Emily Hutchings RECORDER: Amy McDonough Finch introduces himself and opens the Regular HDC meeting to order at December 19 6:00 PM. Marilyn McCrory calls Regular Community Preservation Committee meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Joint public meeting of the Historic District Commission and the Community Preservation Committee begins. 1. Historic Preservation Plan: Kick -off meeting and discussion with consultant Heritage Strategies. Peter Benton introduces himself as one of the principals of Heritage Strategies, the historic preservation consultant hired to complete Beverly's Historic Preservation Plan. The Historic District Commission (HDC) and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) members introduce themselves to Mr. Benton. Peter's partner is Elizabeth Watson who is not present. Mr. Benton gives a brief introduction and overview of Heritage Strategies as a firm, and notes that his partner, Elizabeth Watson, is not present, but will manage the community engagement aspect of the plan. Mr. Benton notes that Heritage Strategies' specialty is work on national heritage areas, and that community historic preservation planning has become a core service offered by the firm. Mr. Benton notes that Heritage Strategies met with the City of Beverly Planning Department and the Massachusetts Historical Commission —which is partially funding the plan — in mid - November for an initial meeting. Heritage Strategies will continue to work with Beverly staff throughout the project. Mr. Benton continues to describe the scope of work for the Historic Preservation Plan, which he explains was developed by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and City of Beverly. Mr. Benton states that Phase I, from November 2019 through January 2020, will cover an initial meeting with the HDC and CPC and the collection of background information, including the analysis of three preservation plans from other states, an introduction to historic preservation planning, an annotated list of partners and stakeholders, a historical context for Beverly that reviews how the City grew over time and why, a review of planning documents including the ongoing PlanBeverly master plan, and reviews of historic surveys and inventories, National Register nominations and properties, and City ordinances. Phase II, to take place from February 2020 through April 2020, centers around outreach and engaging with community. Mr. Benton explains how Heritage Strategies will consider stakeholders and hold focus groups to identify interests such as commercial areas, downtown, neighborhoods and historical sites. HDC December 19, 2019 — Page 1 Heritage Strategies will work with Planning Department staff to identify approximately four topics around which they will hold focus groups. Additionally, public workshops will be held to gather input from any interested community members. Mr. Benton emphasizes the opportunity for members of the HDC and CPC to participate in these focus groups and public workshops. For Phase III, which will take place from April through June of 2020, Heritage Strategies will prepare documentation and present on issues, challenges and opportunities for historic preservation efforts based on input from stakeholders and analysis of existing conditions and historic preservation efforts. The recommendations and action plan will include subjects such as surveys and inventories, National Register recommendations, public awareness and educations, municipal ordinances, policy, and management. After reviewing issues and opportunities and developing a set of draft recommendations, another set of public meetings and focus groups will be held to refine recommendations and aspects of the plan. The final phase, Phase IV, involves the preparation and refinement of the preservation plan, which is expected to reach completion in July 2020. Mr. Benton states that he is in Beverly completing three days of field work to get to know the City, and has been reviewing maps and learning about the periods of development in the city overtime. Mr. Benton describes some of the work he has completed over the past few days, and states that he will be returning in late January after research and the development of background documents. Peter asks if there are any questions. There are no questions from the HDC Marilyn McCrory moves to adjourn the joint public meeting of the Community Preservation Committee and the Historic District Commission, and to continue the individual public meeting of the Community Preservation Committee in Conference Room B. Heather Richter seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 9 -0. Finch motions to end joint public meeting of the Historic District Commission and the Community Preservation Committee, continue individual public meeting of the Historic District Commission, LaMont seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 4 -0. Finch motions to move to items 3 -5 on the agenda prior to item 2. LaMont seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 4 -0. 3. Election of Chair, Vice -Chair for the year 2020 Mason motions to elect Bill Finch as Chair for 2020. LaMont seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 4 -0. Mason motions to elect Suzie LaMont as Vice -Chair for 2020. Pearl seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 4 -0. 4. Approval of 2020 Meeting Schedule Hutchings notes that the April, November, and December meetings has been moved to the second Thursdays of the month due to holidays and conflicts. LaMont motions to approve the 2020 Meeting Schedule. Pearl seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 3 -0. S. Approval of Minutes • October 24, 2019 LaMont and Mason note minor changes regarding names. Hutchings notes proposed revisions. HDC December 19, 2019 — Page 2 Lamont motions to approve the October 24, 2019 minutes as amended. Pearl seconds. All in favor. Motions passes 4 -0. Members of the Commission comment on the success of the ribbon cutting for the GAR Hall restoration. Finch motions to move to item 2 on the agenda. LaMont seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 4 -0. 2. Historic Preservation Plan: Continued discussion with consultant Heritaee Strateeies Mr. Benton reiterates the timeline and public participation process for the plan and asks if the Commission has any questions about the scope. Mr. Benton asks about topics that will be most likely to get people involved in the plan, suggesting the downtown and historic neighborhoods as options. Mr. Benton notes that in keeping with the PlanBeverly master plan, the historic preservation plan could encourage mixed - use neighborhoods while requiring the retention of historic buildings and resources. The Commission and Mr. Benton discuss topics that would be beneficial to address in Beverly. Pearl describes common historic resources and vernacular historic neighborhoods, noting that although such areas may not rise to the level of the National Register of Historic Places, these places elicit a clear character. Pearl also discusses midcentury modern architecture and historic landscapes as two types of resources that are often overlooked. Mr. Benton notes that 1950s cottage -style neighborhoods are also common and evoke a certain historic character. Mr. Benton discusses cultural landscape, including cemeteries, parks and commercial centers, as a potential area of focus to address historic resources that may otherwise be overlooked. Mr. Benton discusses historic resources that have been surveyed, and notes a lot has not been surveyed. Mr. Benton states that what has been surveyed appears to be the most clearly historic resources, and notes that some neighborhood and corridor areas that have been surveyed at an incomplete level. Mr. Benton comments that many area surveys cover only small areas and segments of neighborhoods, and asks how the City has decided what to survey. Finch answers that many surveys were completed in the 1970s, when the focus was surveying 18' and early 19t century resources. Additional, more in -depth surveys were completed in the mid- 1990s, which focused on filling in gaps of resources that were missed in the earlier survey work, including Beverly Farms and great estates. Most recent survey work has continued to fill in what has been missed. Mr. Benton asks about downtown neighborhoods, and notes that little or no survey work has been completed for many neighborhoods. [ LaMont exits meeting at 6:45 PM.] Mr. Benton discusses potential survey work moving forward, and notes the recent surveys are very thorough. The importance of the surveys is that they support planning efforts and education. Pearl says that the toolkit for historic preservation should be improved. Finch agrees, and notes individuals have identified other areas they would like to have surveyed or put on the National Register. Further discussion ensues on historic preservation strategies and areas of interest. The Commission and Mr. Benton discuss different types of historic districts and the corresponding types of review. The group discusses the differences between National Register historic districts, local historic districts, and conservation districts, which might be appropriate in neighborhoods such as downtown and along Cabot and Rantoul Streets, and what areas present a need for protection. Mr. Benton states that for individual properties that would not be part of a historic district, there may be an opportunity for single - property historic district or landmark status, and notes an example in Wellesley. HDC December 19, 2019 — Page 3 The Commission discusses the need for education on historic preservation, and Pearl proposes focus groups. Finch says there seems to be a general misconception that the Historical Commission is anti - development, rather than supporting development that is appropriate relative to historic resources. Mr. Benton agrees that focus groups will help correct that misconception. [Pearl exits meeting at 6:58 PM] The Commission and Mr. Benton discusses areas where redevelopment is proposed, and notes the role of the Historic Preservation Plan is to engage the community, and encourage appropriate redevelopment while preserving historic resources and historic character. Mason gives the Depot Square II block as an example of needing to preserve historic character. Mr. Benton asks where historic resources are still present on Rantoul Street and other neighborhoods, particularly where there is significant rental versus owner - occupied housing. Mr. Benton asks if Beverly has rental registry or licensing, and notes they are becoming strong tools to require maintenance. For rental registry or licensing, landlords must register and pay a fee each year, and the Building Department inspects homes to address absentee landlords. [LaMont rejoins meeting 7:11 PM] The Commission and Mr. Benton discuss accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Mason mentions that a recommendation of the new Master Plan is to lift the family -only requirement for ADUs. Mr. Benton discusses other proposed recommendations from the new Master Plan, and notes that mixed -use development is okay with good quality, making sure historic resources are incorporated. The Commission and Mr. Benton review a map of the City and discuss areas of interest, survey areas. Mr. Benton says that due to the development pressure, surveying around Rantoul Street is a priority. The Commission and Mr. Benton discuss strategies to encourage the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Finch notes that the current building code is a problem, and provides few exceptions for historic resources. Discussion continues around building codes and best practices. Finch asks about the possibility of the City providing loans for housing rehabilitation in historic but blighted areas. Mr. Benton notes criteria and regulations are available to facilitate such loans. Finch asks about other potential strategies to protect and preserve historic resources, including CPC funds and revolving loans. Mr. Benton notes that these options will be reviewed and that Heritage Strategies will make recommendations on preservation strategies based in research and community engagement. Mr. Benton asks about additional historic maps. Finch notes Leventhal Map Center in Boston, and online GIS maps. Members discuss other maps that may be available to the public, and development patterns of the City. 6. Updates on Projects Powder House Hutchings states that although the City received five bids for the Powder House restoration, all bids were significantly over budget. Hutchings states the preferred contractor has signed bid extension to extend the bid until January 31, 2020, and the Massachusetts Historical Commission confirmed if $110,000 of work was completed by June 30, 2020 — enough work so that their $55,000 grant — the project could be finished after that deadline. Hutchings states that the Community Preservation Committee has scheduled a special meeting on January 2, 2020, to review a request for additional funding to complete the project. Community Preservation Act funding would require approval from City Council as well. Hutchings states that she has submitted a revised budget and timeline, requesting $35,000 to complete the restoration project. HDC December 19, 2019 — Page 4 GAR Hall: Hutchings states that this project is almost done, with a walkthrough being completed on Friday. There is a short list of outstanding items for Campbell Construction to address, on which Hutchings will continue to follow up. 7. New /Other Business /Other discussion or action items None at this time. 8. Adjournment Mason motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm. LaMont seconds. Motions passes 4 -0. HDC December 19, 2019 — Page 5