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1998-05-27 SUMMARY OF WORKSHOP #1 MASTER PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES STATEMENT HELD ON MAY 27, 1998 City of Beverly Planning Department and Appledote Engineering, Inc. AppledoN Engineering Inc. 600 State Street, Suite D Portsmouth, NH 03801 tel 603.433.8818 fax 603.433.8988 aei@nh .ultranet.com MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: Jane 8, 1998 Tina Cassidy, Planning Director Goals and Objective Community Group Jack Mettee, Appledote Engineering, Inc. Sumznary of Comxnunity Forum Issues Beverly Master Plan AEI]1221 Please find attached a summary of the Community Forum held on May 27, 1998. The main purpose for going through the issues identification process with the public is to be sure that the work of the participants in the Master Plan process, as well as the planning staff, focus on the areas that are important to the City and need to be addressed in the next stage of the Master Plan. I have summarized the results of the forum and distilled them into a set of key issues that are divided into three groups--primary, secondary and other. I have stated the issues in the form of questions so that the City can consider possible answers as the process moves forward. These issues and questions may be revised and modified based upon the results of the Community Attitude Survey, as well as further public discussion. As a first step, we went through the worksheets for each of the five groups, transcribed them and put them into rank order for issues and "likes". These results are attached. We then went through the lists and looked for common themes that showed up in a number of groups. From this analysis a set of key issues was derived. The top primary issues included: improved in~-astructure: more open space protection; more industrial/commercial growth; additional public access to fresh and salt water; and improved school facilities and curriculum. Among Beverly's assets that the forum recognized were the City's many cultural opportunities and activities; the water~-ont; Beverly's open spaces; the residential/neighborhood character of the Cily; the City's history and historical buildings and mansions; and the "small town" feeling. (1221-003.doc) Major Issues 1. What measures should the City undertake to ensure long-term protection and management of its valuable open spaces? The subject of open space rated very highly in both the "issues" and "likes" discussions. Specifically included were woodlands, wildlife, green space, Norwood Pond (mentioned several times), and wetlands. It will be necessary to clearly define the elements of open space, what the specific concerns are and the most appropriate approach for long-term management of these resources. What is the most suitable approach to achieve a balanced use of the Beverly's waterfront that recognizes the competing demands for commercial fishing, recreational boating, marine businesses, public recreation and access, and tourism? The "waterfront" also ranked very highly ~ both discussions. It would appear to be a highly regarded asset for the City and one that most people seem to feel needs proper management. It also appears to be perceived as an asset that includes much of the shoreline of Beverly (Bass River, etc.). The following ideas were expressed: prepare harbor management plan, tourism, recreation, public access, and development (develop Morton-Thiokol site versus Morton-Thiokol for public launch facility; develop with mix of uses). How can the City afford to update, operate and maintain its inpastructure at satisfactory levels while still maintaining stable property taxes? This issue was identified by all groups and seemed to encompass concerns about roadways, drainage, water and sewer, and streetlights. Improvements to these systems will directly affect the budget process. 4. How can the City ensure the long-term viability of its cultural assets and opportunities in eluding both public an d private in stitution s an d p togram s ? Interestingly, this topic rated highly with all groups as an asset for Beverly. Cabot Street, Montserrat College of Art, North Shore Melody Tent, public library, an events, establish an arts center were all mentioned. How can the City better define its downtown and encourage revitalization of this area? This issue also ranked near the top for concern. Downtown also received a number of "like" votes. It may be necessary to further understand what one group identified as "better defining the downtown". I assumed that this concern was relative to revitalization. Appledote z Engineering Inc. 6. How can the City expand its commercial/industrial base in a manner that is consistent with its current community character? This issue apparently addresses a concem about the balance of residential and commercial/industrial growth and the need to have more revenue generating land use to diversify the tax base. Some identified the level of commercial growth (Cummings Park) and the lack on significant industrial development as "likes". Also noted was Beverly's pro- business attitude, the role of the Chamber of Commerce and community banks. 7. How can the City maintain and expand its access to both its fresh and salt water resources? Represents a desire to ensure adequate public access to the City's water resources. Water views were also mentioned. & How can Beverly maintain the desirability of its residential neighborhoods and protect them from the impacts of conflicting uses? This issue represents part of the overall character of the City, but emphasizes a very strong identification with the integrity of Beverly's neighborhoods. Livability, good place to raise family, residential character were all mentioned. 9. What steps can be taken to improve the quality of Beverly's educational system including the curriculum and facilities? Although several groups identified the schools as an asset, there was strong concern for improving both the buildings and curriculum as well as making support equal for all schools. 10. How can the City ensure that the Master Plan recognizes Beverly's history and historical/architectural resources and provides a strategy for long-term protection and maintenance of these assets? Historic resources were identified as an asset, as well as a concern for protection. The City's history, historical buildings, mansions, architecturally significant buildings, Washington's Naval Base, Hannah home port, and historical "weightiness" were all noted. 11. How can Beverly retain its "small town "feeling as it grows and changes over the next decade? Although Beverly has a population of almost 40,000, people like its small town feeling. Livability, conveniences to services, walking City, and open public meetings were mentioned. Appledore Engineering Inc. Secondary Issues 12. What steps should the City take to maintain its current community character and strive toward an image as a "Garden City"? Similar to the previous issue, the Forum participants identified a number of characteristics that give Beverly its character. Included were: community commitment to children, Homecoming, commitment &citizens to improve community, good City council and Mayor, Cabot Street in blossom 13. How can Beperly maintain a diverse population both socially and economically ? It appears that Beverly prides itself on its diverse population and would like to maintain this diversity. Diversity of housing was also identified, including the need for a homeless shelter. 14. Given Beverly's position on the North Shore and its accessibility via road and railroad, how can the City maintain or imprope this situation? Beverly citizens appreciate their location relative to Boston and the region and want to maintain and improve the highway and railroad systems that will allow the City's locational advantages to continue. 15. How can the City maintain and improve its public parks and beaches that have been recognized as beautiful, well-located and subject to heavy use? The Forum identified City parks as important assets that need to be properly maintained and used. Lynch Park, Beverly Golf and Tennis we[e noted. 16. How should the City manage growth so that it does not become over-developed? There was concern about the quantity and quality of growth in the City. There were several references to updating the zoning map/zoning by-law, particularly to address the Route 128 corridor and give attention to maintaining the City's streetscapes. 17. How can the City continually improve and maintain its public buildings and properties? Concern was raised about the need to improve, as necessary, and maintain public properties including the police and fire stations. This concern may also be related to image of the City and community character. One group raised the issue of timely funding for capital improvements, presumably to maintain the quality of public properties. There was a suggestion from one group to "reinvest in existing resources" that needs to be further defined. l & Witat should Beverly do to accomntodate and intprove vehicular traffic flow and safety throughout the City? Traffic issues came up in several groups, although specific problem areas were not generally identified. Appledore Engineering Inc. Other Issues · Provide pedestrian and bikeways · Protect Beverly's water supply · Need overnight lodging facilities * Improve City administration including elected boards and commissions · Provide more active and passive recreation · Make more information available on City and school budgets · Timely funding of capital improvements Appledore Engineering Inc. 4 S~tlOA qV.LO3L 9 L t, t~ L t, d~OHD 9 8 9 leq~a/aaqax D.uls!p ssau}snq UkXOlUkXOp auUap Jailaft '6 gu!snoq Ig!luap!soa [guo}l}ppg aggugm/dolS '8 puod poo~oN laaloJd 'L OaA~ ss8 gu~pnlau}) uo[lgajaoj pug 'g~gH 'mspnol JoJ luamdoloaap luo~j~lg~ '9 (qo~ '~ gu}pnlou}) lies ~ qso~--im~g ol ssoooe oHqnd [euo~l}ppg paaN 'g snlgls Ignba 'mnlna~na 'sa~l}l~ogJ - slooqaS aamd~I '~ oseq xgl luomdoloAop leplsnpu~ le~o~o~moo ojo~ paaN 'C (puod poo~oN) po~Id/ssomap H~ - uoDaoD~d oau ds uado o~o~ 'g ~a~as 's~q~!Iloojls aa~g~ 'sp~oa-aanla~ls~aju~ po~oadmI '[ 3FISSI V J, NI~IBIH3V&IV ISSUE W/NO VOTES GROUP 1. Preserve historical sites and uses for tourism 2. Provide an tourism center 3. Promote cultural assets 4. Consolidate-link open space 5. City Downtown density residential 6. Eliminate parking meters 7. Improve traffic pattern 8. Expand multi-family housing 9. Larger lot sizes for residential 10. Consider other revenue sourues 11. High dropout rate at Beverly High School 12. Less conflict between age groups 13. Fund youth programs I4. Enforce sanitary code l 5. Upgrade water mains 16. Community volunteer services 17. Upgrade commuter rail 18. Increase commuter parking 19. Extend Blue Line to Beverly 20. Purchase Ventton site as public launch facility 21. Improve downtown parking 22. Strengthen Design Review Board 23. Affordable Housing City-wide A B C/D E A-3 29. Beverly Golf& Tennis 30. Hannah home port 3 l. Homecoming 32. Cabot Street in blossom 33. Cummings Park 34. Many City services 35. Location as gateway 36. Historical weightiness 37. Airport 38. Clean air 39. No industrial siege 40. Diversity of housing stock 41. Influence of Chamber of Commeme 42. Local media 43. Walking city 44. Sports/YMCA LIKE A GROUP B C/D 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 TOTALVOTES E F/G 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 I B-2