2003-06-11
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Comprehensive Rezoning Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: June 11, 2003
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT: Richard Dinkin (Planning Board), Rob Valliere (Mayor’s
Chief of Staff), Ron Costa (City Council), Jack Murray
(City Council), Peter Gilmore (City Solicitor), Bob Nelson
(Building Inspector), Debra Hurlburt (Planning Director),
John Thomson (Planning Board), Donald Preston (Master
Plan Steering Committee), Scott Houseman (Zoning Board
of Appeals), Wendy Frontiero (Master Plan Steering
Committee)
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi (Beverly Planning Department), Ezra
Glenn and Ralph Willmer from McGregor & Associates
RECORDER: Jeannine Dion (by tape)
Hurlburt calls the meeting to order.
Introductions
Ezra Glenn from McGregor & Associates introduces himself. He stated that he is a consultant
working on the project and that there is a lot of work that has been done. He added that he was
called in to help revise the zoning and act on a couple of things that have come up over the last
several years with planning that the City has been doing. He commented that in doing that, the
committee wants to hear from members of the committee to make sure he is on target. Mr. Glenn
stated that McGregor & Associates works with communities all over the state on implementation
of plans and he has been talking with Deb Hurlburt as well as work with a lot of the planning
documents but there is nothing like actually talking to people who are dealing with the issues on a
daily basis -- the Zoning Board, Planning Board, City Council, Building Inspector, etc.
Glen introduces Ralph Willmer from McGregor & Associates.
The members of the committee introduce themselves. In attendance are: Richard Dinkin
(Planning Board), Rob Valliere (Mayor’s Chief of Staff), Ron Costa (City Council), Jack Murray
(City Council), Peter Gilmore (City Solicitor), Bob Nelson (Building Inspector), Debra Hurlburt
(Planning Director), John Thomson (Planning Board), Donald Preston (Master Plan Steering
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June 11, 2003
Page 2
Committee), Scott Houseman (Zoning Board of Appeals), Wendy Frontiero (Master Plan
Steering Committee).
Background Information
Hurlburt states the Master Plan was completed in August of last year where it went to and was
approved by the Planning Board. She stated that the next major step was that the Planning
Department applied for EO418 monies from the State so this process could start and that the
Planning Department thought to look at the zoning to be the first major undertaking at this point.
She added that in addition, staff in the Planning Department has been going over the Master Plan
and trying to accomplish some of the goals. She commented that the Planning Department has
recently sent to City Council, with a successfully adoption, a new Sign Ordinance. She added that
the Planning Department has recently submitted to the Planning Board an Inclusionary Zoning
Draft while Leah Zambernardi is working on 40B guidelines, and Amy Maxner, the
Environmental Planner and Hurlburt will be working on Groundwater and Watershed Ordinances
and other environmentally related issues.
Hurlburt states there has been a great deal of work that had been undertaken by the Master Plan
Steering Committee. She added that this is a great document and the city is moving forward and
that this administration is just as anxious to keep it moving.
Summary of Major Issues in Existing Studies, Impressions of Current Zoning (McGregor
& Associates)
Ralph Willmer states McGregor & Associates looked at a variety of documents (The Master Plan,
the Findings Report, Planning Recommendations, 2001 Open Space and Recreation Plan) and he
provides a brief summary. He stated that he would like to get input on whether or not the
committee is in agreement with the recommendations, whether or not there is any priority to the
issues addressed, etc.
Mr. Willmer commented that the housing, economic development and open space sections are all
recommendations that come directly out of the Master Plan or related documents. He added that
at the top of page 3, where it refers to Zoning Ordinance Review, those are additional comments
McGregor & Associates added based on the review of the Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Glenn states The Master Plan talks a lot about
·
Increasing density in certain areas.
·
Allowing for mixed-use development.
·
Providing an outlet for new housing.
·
Thinking more about how zoning relates to historic preservation and proper conversion of
historic buildings (new use or reuse).
·
Great Estates
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June 11, 2003
Page 3
·
Houseman states that probably the preponderance of those in the room would be in
favor of some kind of zoning provision that would preserve Beverly’s Great Estates.
·
Houseman states he would like to have this committee “shop around” what might be
the best zoning vehicle for protection of Great Estates. He stated that he is intrigued
by the Great Estates Bylaw in Ipswich.
There is discussion regarding how to proceed with the Zoning Ordinance. Thomson recommends
not using the “piece mail” approach. He suggests using a total redo that updates everything but
addresses the main points of view.
Houseman agrees that he would like to see a complete examination of the Ordinance but he feels
pretty strongly if there are some areas that a modular approach where you are bringing forward
the adoption of certain components of the Ordinance would be helpful to see. He commented that
if a piece of the Ordinance is adopted, it would not preclude you from going back and making
adjustments to that piece that was adopted to make it consistent with the format. He expresses
concern that a comprehensive review can be accomplished with $30,000.
Ralph Willmer states $30,000 is the same budget that he has in Weymouth and added that his
preference is to have a complete package. He stated that as far as educating City Council and the
public as to what is happening, perhaps some type of modular public hearing process would be
appropriate. He recommends preparing short and succinct fact sheets to help people wade
through the information. He stated that there might be a couple of different approaches to
potential solutions and he will prepare a memo providing an overview of the options and the pros
and cons of the issues.
Ralph Willmer states that McGregor & Associates will go back to the office and take a few
months to work on the Ordinance. He added that he will come back before the Committee and
there will be choices regarding options.
Hurlburt states that recently there were many Senior Housing projects being considered in the
City.
Glenn states the Master Plan talks about more affordable housing. He asks if the worry is that so
much of it is being proposed that it should be done right or encourage more of it. Hurlburt
responds that it is a good concept but the city doesn’t even have control of it and nobody is quite
sure where it is heading and what the market is.
Glenn states some communities have successfully developed and implemented overlay districts or
separate districts specifically for over 55 and have developed standards. He added that the pros
and cons could be discussed in the future.
Glenn states the Master Plan pointed toward the waterfront and revitalizing it and the industrial
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June 11, 2003
Page 4
zone. He added that part of what the Master Plan provisions is truly separating out two very
different kinds of economic development; one being livable, walk able, downtown waterfront area
and the other being working with the industrial park.
Mr. Glenn comments that the Master Plan recommends consideration for design guidelines. He
stated that he can provide examples of good design guidelines, however, the actual projection and
writing of design guidelines might be a little outside the Zoning Ordinance rewrite because it can
be an entire project in and of itself. The overall goal is to improve the actual feel and look of the
downtown area, to improve pedestrian access, etc.
Hurlburt states Leah has been working with the Main Streets program to obtain design guidelines
for the downtown and she was recently successful getting the town of Adams’ design guidelines.
Glenn states there is a lot in the Master Plan about improving the standards for watershed areas.
He stated that he would be looking at that further.
Glenn states he will be looking at Open Space. Hurlburt states that Scott Houseman has been
working on a Conservation Subdivision Ordinance.
Glenn states he will also be reviewing scenic roads.
Glenn’s General Comments
Mr. Glenn stated that his general comments are:
·
There is no right or wrong way to do this.
·
Struck by the vast number of districts in the City. Does that create administrative
problems? Could some of the districts be combined?
·
List of uses should be updated to include new zoning considerations (Examples: Over
55 and assisted living).
·
Review the Land Use Schedules.
There being no further discussion the meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m.