2003-10-22City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE
DATE:
PLACE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Comprehensive Rezoning Committee
October 22, 2003
Beverly Public Library
Scott Houseman, Robert Nelson, Donald Preston,
John Thomson, Peter Gilmore
Ronald Costa, Richard Dinkin, Wendy Frontiero,
Jack Murray, Don Neuman, Robert Valliere
Ralph Willmer (Consultant), Leah Zambernardi,
Asst. Planning Director (Planning & Development)
Jeannine Dion (by tape)
DEFINITIONS
Restaurant
There is discussion about further refining the definition for restaurant.-
Signs
There is discussion about the definition of signs.
Waterfront
Willmer states the last definition he added for discussion purposes is a generic definition
for waterfront.
Motel
Willmer states he defined motel. The difference from hotel is "... in which access to and
from each room or unit is through an exterior door."
There is discussion about private homes being rented to Montserrat College. Some
members acknowledge that the college helps small businesses in the downtown area but
they also express concern about losing affordable housing to an educational facility.
Comprehensive Rezoning Committee Minutes
October 22, 2003
Page 2
Willmer states he can speak with some of his colleagues who work in college towns and
see how they work with those issues.
Commercial / Recreational Use
Willmer states he added a definition for commercial / recreational use.
Restaurant / Restaurant Carry-out and Restaurant Drive Through
Willmer states he revised the definitions for restaurant, restaurant carry-out and restaurant
drive-through.
NON-CONFORMING USES
Willmer states he needs to hear what the problems are with the Ordinance as it is
currently written.
Members discuss Section 29.26 (Non-conforming uses).
Houseman states the whole thing is a piece of junk. It is unclear, inconsistent and doesn't
address correct case law in any fashion. He states the other members of the Zoning Board
feel exactly the same way..
Houseman states the Town of Danvers has a version of this subject and it is an excellent
treatment of the subject.
Willmer states he did not want to taint the discussion but he looked at what Houseman is
referring to and agrees with his assessment. He recommends cutting the current text and
replacing it with something better rather than trying to tinker with it to make it right.
Willmer will use the Towns of Danvers and Dennis as samples
There is discussion regarding shape requirements.
Nelson states he does not know if a use changes unless someone goes before the ZBA or
if an abutter calls him.
There is discussion regarding retail establishments. Willmer states when you are talking
about a liquor store or other things that routinely fall into retail establishments, you must
ask the question "What is the difference from a land use perspective?" A liquor store is
really no different than a drug store from a zoning perspective. A convenience store is
different because it generates a high level of traffic.
Comprehemive Rezoning Committee Minutes
October 22, 2003
Page 3
Sub Committees
Willmer states there are always going to be policy concerns that need to be addressed and
that needs to happen before the committee gets into drafting. He recommends that there
are meetings (subcommittees and Planning staff) between the CRC meetings.
Willmer suggests setting up some meetings where members of the CRC start to make
some policy decisions. The CRC subcommittees can get together and discuss their topics
later on with the entire CRC.
Approval of Minutes
Thomson moves to approve the minutes dated September 10, 2003, seconded by Nelson.
All members are in favor.
Adjournment
The meeting is adjourned.