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2000-03-14CITY OF BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Master Plan Steering Committee March 14, 2000 City Council Chambers Chuck Zarba, Don Preston, Bill Rodenbaugh, Richard Dinkin, Maureen Troubetaris, Bruce Oveson, John Thomson, Bill Delaney, Larry Ralph, John Young, Linda Goodenough, Scott Houseman, Wendy Frontiero Joanne Avallon, Wendy Pearl Steve Cecil (The Cecil Group), City Planner Tina Cassidy Tina Cassidy The meeting is called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Cassidy, who gives brief introductory remarks. At Cecil's suggestion, members introduce themselves to those in attendance and offer their reasons for agreeing to serve on the steering committee. Cecil provides members with a brief overview of the consulting team for the master plan. The team includes the Cecil Group, RKG Associates (for housing and economic issues), Parsons Brinckerhoff (infrastructure and utilities), Anne Meyers (real estate consultant) and the Urban Harbors Institute (harbor-related issues). Next, Cassidy distributes a copy of the section of the state law that spells out the required contents for master plans. Cecil provides members with an update on the tasks the Cecil Group has performed to date. This work includes meeting with the Harbor Management Authority on a harbor plan, the Open Space and Recreation Committee on an updated open space and recreation plan, as well as meetings with various City officials including the Planning Director. Cecil disseminates copies of the work plan prepared by Cecil and the City for the master plan process, and explains that the final "master plan" will eventually be submitted to the Mayor and the City Council for adoption as policy for the City. Cassidy hands out copies of a January 14, 2000 letter from the Open Space and Recreation Committee to the City Council, and explains that the letter was written in response to a request from the Council to Master Plan Steering Committee minutes March 14, 2000 meeting Page two provide a recommendation on the wisdom of public acquisition of the so- called Dallas property on Essex Street. She explains that the parcels listed for acquisition in that letter were not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all the parcels in the City that may be suitable for acquisition. The Committee will work on expanding that list with further study, and may soon publish a revised list of parcels for possible acquisition. Cecil provides a summary of the requirements of Chapter 91 of the State laws which establish specific regulations and dimensional requirements for shoreline development. He explains there are several important questions the City must resolve as part of its harbor plan, including the continued existence of Beverly's designation as a Designated Port Area. He states that the harbor plan will be developed in a way that guides the State to interpret those regulations in a light most favorable to the City. Cecil asks if there are any questions about the role of the steering committee. Thomson asks if the Committee will be expected to conduct public hearings as part of its efforts. Cecil responds that he does not envision any intermediate public hearings, only hearings at the end of the process when the City debates whether to adopt the final report. Houseman asks if the committee will be required to take formal votes on any matters. Cecil answers that the role of the steering committee is an advisory one, and suggests the committee will ultimately develop a letter of consensus toward the end of the master plan process. Cecil suggests establishing a regular meeting night for the committee every month. An alternative would be to schedule meetings only at certain milestones. Members concur that regular monthly meetings would be preferable. After a brief discussion, the group decides that meetings should be held on the second Thursday of every month beginning at 7:00 p.m. Cassidy states that she will attempt to find meeting rooms that are more conducive to roundtable discussion than the Council Chamber is. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13th. Cassidy and Cecil explain that prior to each meeting, an agenda, meeting minutes, and backup information will be sent to each member. Next, Cecil asks members to answer the question: At the end of the master plan process, what will have made this process a success? Members list the following: Master Plan Steering Committee minutes March 14, 2000 meeting Page three · Development of a plan that is based on consensus and is meaningful (usable) to the City. · Provides clear criteria for planning board and zoning board of appeals decisions. · Links recommendations to funding sources. · Changes rules and ordinances to enable land use boards to implement desired policies. · Plans for the "look" of the City at full build-out (density). · Minimizes loopholes in the laws - regulations must be clear. · Is consistent with legislative authority. · Establishes a vision for the City based on models of success elsewhere. · Articulates a vision and insures regulations facilitate that vision. · Relates all elements of the master plan to each other. · Includes tools to evaluate the success of the plan. · Creates zoning enforcement mechanisms that work. · Provides appropriate development incentives. · Grows from community dialogue. · Invests the plan with the political tools necessary to reach across a wide spectrum. · Finds common ground. · Educates, and communicates with, the citizens. · Involves the media regularly, including a possible website. · Involves multiple approaches to public involvement in the process. Cecil thanks the group for its participation this evening. The meeting is adjourned at 8:50 p.m.