1999-12-02City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
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Economic & Community Development Council
December 2, 1999
Beverly City Hall
Brenda Spence, Bill Rodenbaugh, Dick Mooney,
Wayne Martin, Don Stacey, Deb Rosser, Joyce
McMahon
Tina Cassidy (City Planner), Dawn Goodwin, Kenn
Buckland, Cecil Group and Dick Gottschneider,
RKG Associates
Wayne Mastin
Jeannine Dion
Chairman McMahon calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Approval of Meetinl~ Minutes
Mooney:
motion to approve the November 17, 1999 meeting minutes,
seconded by Spence. All members in favor. Motion carries.
Discussion
McMahon states that the consultants for the City's Master Plan will be joining the ECDC
members at 7:30 p.m. MeMahon recommends the meeting attendees review the draft
outline. Upon lengthy review and discussion, the group refines the document further.
The topics discussed: General City Goals, Natural Resource Goals, Housing Goals,
Economic Development Goals, Infrastructure Goals and Transportation Goals.
Discussion with Citv's master plan consultants on ECDC's role in the master nlan
process
McMahon introduces Kenn Buckland, Associate Senior Planner from the Cecil Group
and Dick Gottsehneider, economist from RKG Associates.
Gottschneider asks what the ECDC's definition of economic development is. He states if
the City of Beverly were a highly impoverished community, economic development
would perhaps be defined as getting people to work. This is clearly not the case in
Beverly. Gortschneider states it could be defined as tax base enhancement. He suggests
this should be the focus tonight.
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December 2, 1999
Page 2
McMahon responds that to her, economic development means increasing the tax base and
promoting a diverse set of jobs. Rodenhaugh states the city is faced with the fact that
rezoning land from residential to industrial would not be popular. Gottschneider states
the city has to maximize what it has. He states he interprets this discussion as
establishing the primary goals of maximizing the use of the commercial/industrial land
and the secondary goal of job diversifying employment opportunities.
Stacey states that there are organized efforts in some communities to identify and recruit
businesses to locate in their communities. He states he does not envision the ECDC in
the business of soliciting new business to come to the City of Beverly.
Rodenbaugh states when you create a project like Airport Road, you are in fact soliciting
business to the city.
McMahon states that the City of peabody has engaged in a marketing campaign. The city
put together a brochure to solicit new businesses. Cassidy adds that the City of Beverly
owns five lots in the Airport Road project and there has been some discussion about a
marketing campaign.
Rodenbaugh states that when this draft goals and objectives outline was written in 1998,
there was verbiage stating the goal was to reverse the decade-long economic slide. That
has been done and the ECDC wants to continue this effort, but he believes you have to
have industrial/commercial properties available for development in order to achieve it.
Mooney states the City of Beverly is a community very aware of the topic of open space.
McMahon adds that the city does not want to be Peabody, but would like to have
Peabody's tax base.
Cassidy asks the consultants their opinion about creating a redevelopment authority.
Gottschneider responds that he knows a lot about redevelopment authorities and when his
preliminary analysis is complete, he can advise further on it. He thinks one may not be
needed. The advantage ofa redevelopment authority is the city can acquire large areas of
the city by eminent domain. Gottsehneider states that the City of Worcester is a good
example. Buckland adds that Stanford and Norwalk, Connecticut are also good
examples. Gottschneider states that you have to meet certain criteria to qualify and it can
be expensive.
Gottschneider states they will recommend how to facilitate change, if change is what the
city wants. Urban renewal is not the only way to achieve change.
Cassidy states that "the Shoe" is one of the major issues. Zoning for the center is general
industrial. There is no minimum setback and the zoning does not reflect the uses. She
states she does recognize that the zoning district does not reflect the Cummings Center.
Cassidy states the city is strongly advocating zoning changes. Cassidy adds that when
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December 2, 1999
Page 3
the Cummings Center opened, there was a lot of concern that some businesses would fold
downtown. That has not happened.
Buckland states that if the city is considering creating a new zoning district for
Cummings Center, it would be wise to discuss present and future with Cummings.
Cassidy responds that a representative of Cummings should participate in the master plan
process process, but not drive the process.
There is discussion regarding the concept of a new zoning district. Gottschneider states it
could be called "mixed urban."
There is discussion regarding the "CC", central commercial zone. Cassidy states the
"CC" zone allows for mixed uses and the rents are currently low. Should the city
consider shrinking the size of the CC zone, it would likely be controversial.
Spanee states she sees the downtown area and the current "CC' zone as a connection to
the waterfront, which is a treasure ignored for too long.
Gottschneider states the economic study shouM look at all the options and nobody should
draw any conclusions at this early stage.
McMahon asks if the city should look at all IG zoning and assess it further.
Gottschneider responds that you are talking about reassessing all Commercial/Industrial
land, and he concurs that all districts and applicable ordinances be reviewed.
Cassidy states at a previous meeting there was some discussion regarding Business
Improvement Districts (BID's). She states the city is planning to do work on Cabot and
Rantoul Streets in a few years. Cassidy asks ira BID should be considered. Spence
stated that Deb Rosser did not think a BID would work in Beverly. Spenee adds that she
would be in favor of improving businesses.
Spence as'ks Buckland how local business owners can get involved in the master plan
process. Buckland responds that there are a few ways, both formal and informal,
including a website. Cassidy states there has been some discussion about establishing a
website. Buckland states there will be public meetings, which will be advertised. He
states that people may call his office or Tina's office. McMahon suggests posting
information in the Chamber of Commerce newsletter.
Cassidy asks what is the next step. McMahon recommends that the ECDC members
make comments on the draft outline and Tina will synthesize those comments.
McMahon states the next meeting will take place on January 20, 2000 at 6:30 p.m.
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December 2, 1999
Page 4
Rodenbaugh:
motion to adjourn, seconded by Spence. All members in favor,
motion carries.
The meeting adjourns at 8:55 p.m.