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1997-02-20 City of Beverly Economic and Community Development Council MINUTES Economic and Community Development Council February 20, 1997 Meeting Memhers present: Chairman Joyce Golin, Vice-Chairman Bill Rodonhaugh, Dick Moohey, Sandra Reinecke, Nicholas Zavolas, Dawn Goodwin; also present Planning Director Tina Cassidy Golin asks if there are any changes that should be made to the draft minutes of the January 23, 1997 meeting. Reinecke: motion to approve the January 23, 1997 meeting minutes as drafted, seconded by Rodenbaugh. All members in favor, motion carries. Cassidy updates members with respect to the MBTA parking garage project. She tells members that a public meeting will be held Wednesday, March 5, 1997. She also explained that there are two sites with three options that are being considered for construction of a 500 space parking garage, the first site with two options would be the block at Rantou! and Pleasant Street, the second site being River Stredt. Cassidy tells members that one design could include retail stores, and that there has been input from the residents of the Gateway expressing their interest in paying a monthly fee to obtain a parking space. Zavolas asks how receptive the MBTA is to the idea of establishing retail stores. Cassidy states that the MBTA is open to the idea but with reservations. Zavolas comments that it would be nice to have something for the public to visualize at the meeting with respect to the idea of establishing retail stores within the parking garage. Cassidy states that schematic plans will be available the night of the public meeting. Rodenbaugh states that it would be a plus for the City to exploit Commuter Rail Services. Zavolas asks if there is one location or another that has any pluses or minuses to consider. Cassidy states that the Rantoul Masnch. 01915-508-921- Minutes of the ECDC February 20, 1997 page two Zavolas states that city officials should point out in their discussion, situations that may take place within the next five years to possibly draw people's interest. Rodenbaugh states that going to park if retail be full? the City needs to stores are put in, look at where cars are will the parking garage Golin states that the group has to be concerned with the economic development of the City and that we need to focus on all the positive points. Mooney asks if there has been any feedback from business owners (i.e. gas station, Mike's Bar, etc.). Cassidy states yes, there has been initial, positive feedback from businesses who would consider selling to the State. Zavolas states that committee is going to for our position. it is important for the members, if the take a position, to articulate the reasons Reinecke: motion that the ECDC send a letter with respect to the facts of long range view points, to be drafted by Cassidy and approved by Golin to be read at the public meeting, seconded by Rodenbaugh. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, Golin updates members with respect to Walgreen's proposal for use of the Washington Beadle school site. She tells members that they are still in the negotiation phase but that some suggestions have already been offered, including one to eliminate one of the proposed entrances onto Chase Street because trucks cannot make that turn. Cassidy states that a landscaping plan needs to be submitted. Golin tells members that the fund transfer for demolition of the Washington Beadle school was approved by the City Council at a special meeting on February 11, 1997. She states that there is a question as to whether or not it has to go before the Historic District Commission. Members of the administration and the Historic District Ce~mission are examining the Ordinance. Next, Cassidy updates the members with respect to the Airport Road project, explaining that they are still waiting for a response from the DEP regarding the appeal of the decision for a Request for Determination Of Applicability issued by the Conservation Commission. Minutes of the ECDC February 20, 1997 page three Next, members get an update from Mooney with respect to the new park and ride operation at Cummings Center. He explains that people who take public transportation can park at this lot for a monthly fee of $40.00 and take a bus to and from the train station. He stated that the park and ride operation will start in mid March. Mooney then updates the members with respect to the tourism project. He mentions that he attended a day long retreat discussing Beverly's historic long range plans. He explained that a brochure will be dispensed and displayed at the National Park Service facility in Salem, which will then direct people to Beverly's historic attractions. Golin mentions that the City may want to consider cleaning and improving the land behind the Balch House for parking purposes. Cassidy suggests that a letter be written on behalf of the Committee, to the Mayor, suggesting visitor parking be constructed behind the Balch House to facilitate an increase in visitor traffic to this site. Reinecke asks if the land is controlled by the Recreation Department. Golin states she is not sure. Cassidy offers to review the assessors' records for the site, ascertain the historical society's interest in the parcel, and update the Committee at the next meeting. Mooney explains that the display will be ready by May and that the City should anticipate visitors by this summer. Next, Zavolas asks for an update with respect to improvement plans for the Beverly Common. Cassidy explains that bid specifications need to be done and that a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday of next week to get the specifications out and then the project will continue this spring. Next, Zavolas asks if anyone heard any news about the re- beautifying of Independence Park. Cassidy states that she is not aware of anything. Rodenbaugh states that someone is doing something because a water spigot has been installed. Goodwin states that the volunteer Coastal Access Group installed the water spigot as well as a bench. Next, Zavolas states that he is interested in canvassing all businesses on Cabot Street through to the water front and take the questionnaire drafted, to get a sense from these small businesses as to how to improve the businesses in this area. Cassidy mentioned that it may be helpful to him to have a copy of the Minutes of the ECDC February 20, 1997 page four design standards recently adopted by the City Council for such pedestrian amenities as benches, trash receptacles, light poles, etc. Goodwin explains that she drafted a letter to Melissa Reed, Director of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce explaining that there is money available to commercial property owners in the downtown area for the purpose of handicap accessorizing the entrances of their buildings. She stated that it would be on a first come, first serve basis. Next, Rodenbaugh mentions that the information Golin found on the Internet about Beverly is approximately 2-7 years old, that it is in a good format but needs to be updated. Golin states that she will take on this project. Zavolas: motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mooney. All members in favor, motion carries. The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on March 20, 1997. Meeting is adjourned at 8:00 p.m.