Loading...
1997-08-11ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Minutes August 11, 1997 Meeting Members present: Chairman Joyce Golin, Vice-Chaimmn Bill Rodenbaugh, Dick Mooney, Debra Rosser, Nicholas Zavolas, Sandra Reineckc; also present: Engineering Director Frank Killilea, Community Development Manager Dawn Goodwin, C.D. Project Manager Phil Hubbard Chairman Golin opens the meeting with an overview of recent developments at Cummings Center. Topics discussed include tours of the facility, public relations pieces, recent applications and approvals for variances from the Board of Appeals, and zoning and land use issues at this facility. Reinecke: motion to invite Mayor Scanlon and Dan Cummings to the next meeting of the ECDC to discuss the future of Cummings Center and any plans for retail uses. Motion seconded by Mooney, all members in favor. Motion carries. Next, the council discusses the status of the Airport Road project. Killflea states that a meeting was held with the DEP at the project site in connection with the latest appeal of DEP's Superseding Order of Conditions. Ms. Renee Mary represented the appellants at the site visit. Killflea stated that the City was continuing to refine the design of certain components of the project, including a design for sewer in Cabot and Trask Streets. The consulting engineering firm of Camp Dresser & McKee is working on the design of drainage improvements for the Raymond Farms neighborhood, and the project will use several cost saving measures inclnding relining of existing pipes rather than replacement. Next, Golin asks Killflea for updates on the various roadway improvement projects throughout the City. Killflea states that Bayside Engineering has completed the design of the Route 1A project, and that the State Highway Department will review and approve the plans and is expected to advertise the project this fall and start construction next spring. The Rantoul Street reconstruction project will be advertised during the first quarter of 1998 with construction expected to start in June of 1998. The Elliott Street project will be advertised in November of 1997 with an estimated construction start date in the spring of 1998. Kill flea informs members that a 25% design public hearing will be held on September 10th to review the design of reconstruction of Cabot Street. Minutes of the ECDC August 11, 1997 meeting page two Next, Killilea states that the City is working with the MBTA to construct a temporary surface parking lot for off-street commuter rail parking on the site behind Beverly Self Storage on Court Street. The MBTA will provide funding for the lot, which will provide off-street parking until the MBTA funds the construction of a parking garage in the vicinity of the Beverly Depot. Next, Golin asks Goodwin for an update on the Master Plan process. Goodwin informs members that the City's Planning Director had submitted a letter seeking funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development to hire a consultant to perform the first phase of a master plan process which would be a goals and objectives study. Beverly has been invited back to submit a full application for funding, which is due the first week of September. Next, Goodwin updates members on the Beverly Common project by listing the different players working together to coordinate the project' s bid process, and that she is in charge of coordinating those efforts. Next, Rosser updates members on recent efforts of the Harbor Management Authority. She states that the big issue for the public is access to the waterfront. The challenge is in getting property owners to agree to open their waterfront to the public. Rosser: motion that the Economic and Community Development Council Xecommend to the Harbor Management Authority that access to the waterfront by the public be a top priority of the emerging Harbor Plan. Golin, Reinecke, Rosser, Zavolas, Moohey in favor, no members opposed, Rodenbaugh abstains from voting. Motion carries 5 - 0 - 1. The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on Monday, September 29, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall. Meeting adjourns at 8:30 p.m.