2006-01-11
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: January 11, 2006
LOCATION: Beverly Public Library
MEMBERS PRESENT: Patricia Grimes, Neil Douglas, William O’Hare, Carla
Cox
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tina Cassidy, Joyce McMahon, Don Stacey
RECORDER: Carla Cox
Meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m.
Cox opened meeting by introducing David Smith, Esq., who represents Al Thibodeau, a
property owner at the waterfront, whom the Council had invited to come discuss
development plans and the DPA.
Mr. Smith provided a history of the use of his client’s parcel and boat slips. Historically, both
commercial and recreational boats tied up on both side of the slip. The parcel of land is 37
feet wide, has a building, and extends by grant 60 feet into the water. It holds a DEP license
for commercial and recreational boats to tie up, and that license allows extension for total of
170 feet from seawall into water. Full 170 feet shown on DEP plan, which was approved as
part of the settlement with Cargill. Has sufficient parking for 8 boats of 40 feet length (or 16
boats of 20 foot length, etc.).
Recently, the Kinzies’ application for renewal of slip permit included area already licensed to
Thibodeau. Litigation ensued and is still pending.
Settlement proposal by Kinzie is to swap Thibodeau’s parcel for another parcel at the
Eastern boundary of Kinzie’s property, 42 feet wide. This would require the construction of
a new building on this parcel, since current building is of cinderblock construction and can’t
be moved. Locating it at water’s edge would require running new utility lines from street.
Costs to be borne by Thibodeau—would be ok if enough slip length to offset costs. Mr.
Thibodeau has sufficient parking.
Al Thibodeau no longer a lobsterman. Property now leased to his business, Gold Coast
Marina, and used exclusively as a marina.
Thibodeau is considering the swap, and would use new building for commercial uses, such
as chartering, boat sales (both ok under DPA) and possibly a snack shop (possibly not OK
under DPA). Property not historically just lobstering. Always had recreational boats there.
Always wanted to return to mixed use. He would like to have end of pier secured to pilings,
to prevent undue movement at end of pier. This requires anchoring, and is not allowed in
DPA.
His client strongly supports the elimination of the DPA.
Thibodeau does not need to move the Federal Channel in order to utilize property for his
purposes, and would extend his slip as far out as Kinzies. If Federal Channel is relocated
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further from Beverly shore, and Kinzies obtain permit to extend further, he would want
same license.
The Council thanked Mr. Smith for his presentation.
Cox welcomed Thomas Alexander, Esq., representing Dennis Pantano, Tim Alcott and
Steve Ricciardi, principals of Beverly Office Development, LLC, the owners of the former
Ventron site. Mr. Alexander explained that his group’s project was advancing and that some
drawings had been prepared. He introduced Mr. Pantano, who introduced their architect,
Thad Siemasko, who presented some sketches of possible configurations of the
development.
These drawings depicted on the 3.8 acre site two residential buildings, Building A, containing
32 units and Building B containing 52 units. There are proposed four 1 bedroom units of
800-1000 square feet in each building and the rest would be two bedroom units of
approximately 1200 square feet. The buildings will have elevators. There will be two parking
spaces per unit (total 168), most of which are under the buildings. There are two at-grade
parking lots. The buildings are angled to run Northeast to Southwest, so that they do not
present an overly massive wall when viewed from the water or from the bridge. They are
spaced so that the view down Porter Street towards the water is unobstructed, and runs
between the two buildings. The design of the buildings is not final, but the drawings show
lots of architectural interest, with each unit having a balcony, and the ground floor including
some wood features, to resemble a wharf structure. Each building shown has five stories,
including the parking level, which is under the building, (total height of 45 feet from front,
55 feet from rear), providing 37% ground cover (including parking areas), but this
configuration could change, depending upon whether the City prefers to see lower, wider
buildings. Shown on the plans is a public sidewalk encircling the property, which would
provide public access to water views. The existing sidewalk on Congress Street would be
upgraded to match the development.
The Council inquired whether there was any way to provide a coffee shop in the lobby of
one of the buildings, as requested by representatives of a neighborhood group, and Mr.
Pantano said that retail was not viable at that location. There was discussion of having
landscaping and outdoor furniture, and Mr. Pantano indicated they were very flexible and
sensitive to the desires of the surrounding Goat Hill neighborhood. There was discussion
concerning the possibility of extending a public walkway over or under the train bridge, to
connect this site with the rest of the Harborfront. Going over the railroad right of way is not
practical, and likely not possible. Mr. Pantano indicated he will have his engineers consider
the feasibility of locating a walkway under the railroad, but suggested that even at low tide, it
is very low clearance. Cox suggested that it is likely cost-prohibitive, and that another option
would be to improve the safety and appearance of the existing pedestrian crossing over the
tracks at grade, along Congress Street.
Douglas applauded the design efforts, suggested varying the heights of the buildings, and
reminded the developers that the City has a unique opportunity to obtain an integrated and
attractive waterfront, with complementary elements in all new developments.
Mr. Pantano stated that his group will have a public “unveiling” of this proposal on February
15, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. All are welcome.
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The Council thanked Mr. Pantano and his colleagues for keeping the Council informed as to
the progress of their development, and expressed general support for the project,
understanding that the designs are very preliminary.
The Council then considered the Minutes from the meeting held on December 7, 2005, and
upon motion duly made and seconded, the Minutes were approved.
It was agreed to postpone the discussion of the results of the City’s zoning consultant until
Tina Cassidy’s attendance at the next meeting.
Discussion was held concerning the DPA and it was agreed, again, that before any decision
to advocate its abolition can be made, the Council would try to hear from all of the
remaining owners of property within the current DPA.
Discussion ensued concerning the Council’s invitation to the Harbor Management Authority
to come to this meeting to discuss the HMA’s plans for the City’s property at the waterfront.
It was agreed that Cox would re-invite the HMA chair and vice chair to attend the February
th
8 ECDC meeting, and Miranda Gooding suggested that contact be made through Eileen
Twiss, the HMA clerk. Cox agreed to also re-invite Birerelli, another landowner at the
harbor.
Douglas initiated discussion concerning the possibility of the ECDC suggesting to Northeast
Hospital Corporation that it construct an access roadway from its property directly to
Brimbal Avenue. Such a roadway likely would cross conservation land, would require
extensive blasting of ledge, and would be very expensive. Cox suggested that such a matter
might be more properly initiated as an informal discussion between the mayor and the
hospital’s CEO. If a specific construction proposal then ensued, the ECDC would review it.
At 8:50 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was duly made and seconded, and was
approved.
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