Loading...
2006-11-08 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: November 8, 2006 LOCATION: Beverly Public Library MEMBERS PRESENT: Tina Cassidy, Carla Cox, Frank Killilea, Pat Grimes, Don Stacey, Neil Douglas, Bill O’Hare, Don Fournier MEMBERS ABSENT: None RECORDER: Eileen Sacco Cox calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the ECDC meeting held on October 11, 2006 are presented for approval. Cox asks if anyone has any changes to be made to the draft. There are none. Douglas : motion to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Stacey. All members in favor, motion carries. Discussion on Waterfront Rezoning Initiatives Cox notes that the City will be hiring a consultant for the rezoning of the waterfront and she would like the ECDC to have input into the scope of work. Cox states that there are important issues that should be included in the scope of work that are essential to implementation of future redevelopment initiatives. She suggests that ECDC recommendations as well as those of other Boards and Commissions be included in the early stages of the process. Douglas states that he is not necessarily advocating for maximum density uses and notes that there should be design flexibility and variations of building heights to achieve the waterfront redevelopment goals. Cox notes that the result of a consultant’s work is based largely on the scope of work he/she is assigned. She suggests that the consultant talk with the ECDC, Zoning Board of Appeals and other city boards and commissions. She notes that the buildings on the waterfront will define the City for years and should vary in height and appearance. Cassidy mentions the earlier build out analysis conducted by Vine Associates. Stacey asks Cassidy to define “floor area ratio”. Cassidy explains that it is the ratio of the gross square footage of the building to the size of the lot. ECDC Minutes 11-08-06 ECDC Meeting Page 1 of 4 Killilea agrees with Douglas’ comment and notes that creativity in site development is important. Douglas suggests that the development of a proposed zoning alternative that entails variable height requirements/limits would be useful and helpful. He also notes that the consultant has to be familiar with the city’s master plan and the proposal should promote development and redevelopment of this district, leading to the establishment of the water front community. Cox notes that the ECDC would like to see economic and commercial development that would be revenue generating for the city. She states that she would like to achieve something that would be a positive landmark for the city of Beverly. Cassidy reminds members that the Bass River area will also be included in the scope of the consultant’s work, along with the inner harbor. She notes that an overlay approach as suggested by Douglas at the previous meeting is an intriguing one. It would allow an owner to avoid the negatives inherent with a simple rezoning while allowing and encouraging preferred, alternative land uses. Douglas suggests that there be no prescribed setback requirements, that height and bulk area and density be regulated, and there should be ascending floor area ratios. He also suggests that the ECDC should be supportive of progressive incentives to develop public land. A discussion was held on the review process outlined in Douglas’ notes. Douglas says that the qualifications of the architect as well as the engineering and construction management teams should be considered during a project’s review by the Planning Board or other city agencies, and that development proposals should be sensitive to the resulting neighborhood impact. He states that he feels that this would set the tone for economic development and a creative product that will contribute to the city. Cassidy asks for guidance on how the ECDC feels. Cox summarizes that the ECDC is an advocate for development proposals that contribute to the economic development of the city. She asks if the committee wants to suggest that it wants the new zoning to allow the scale and types of development that the property owners have said they’re interested in building. Douglas states that he could embrace that. Killilea says it is best to follow specific rules and regulations regarding new construction. Douglas states that achieving the City’s goals will require it to think “outside of the box”. He also notes that he objects to restrictive setbacks that can’t be flexed to accommodate the unique needs of each development/lot. Cox agrees and notes that a “one size fits all” approach does not work. ECDC Minutes 11-08-06 ECDC Meeting Page 2 of 4 Grimes notes that she missed a few of the presentations made to the ECDC on the waterfront development plans of the owners, but notes that she read the meeting minutes and newspaper accounts and noted that the Kinzie’s redevelopment plan for their site seems to conform to the City’s master plan. O’Hare notes that we have to think about what uses we want and don’t want on the waterfront as well as height restrictions in some areas, noting that is important because of the history and scale of some of the neighborhoods. Douglas also notes that parking requirements need to be looked at. Cox notes that we have some definitive guidance that can be given and suggests that people make suggestions as to what they would like to see in the scope of work. Cassidy explains the hiring process for the consultant and states that she expects to have a committee of five people work with her to select the consultant and then to act as a steering committee during the process of developing the new zoning districts. She expects the selected consultant to review all relevant existing documents and then meet with city boards and commissions to discuss their interests and issues, as well as to meet with waterfront property owners to understand their future development plans. Cox has a reservation about directing the consultant to the mission statement of the ECDC without elaboration and explanation from the committee itself. She suggests that the committee might send a letter to the Mayor with recommendations on the scope of work and recommends that members email their suggestions to Cassidy prior to the next meeting. Douglas notes that it is a good idea but cautioned that the consultant’s work is also going to include the development of design guidelines for both the inner harbor and the Bass River areas. He asks how and where the line will be drawn between the two. He notes that Main Streets has been looking at the issue of the waterfront too. Stacey leaves the meeting at this time. Discussion on Beverly Harbor Navigation Study Cox asks Cassidy to provide an update. Cassidy summarizes the study and notes that it basically concludes that the limits of the Federal Channel can be reduced without detriment to the City. She notes that Vine Associates did the study and they specialize in this type of marine study. She offered to get their qualifications if the members wish. Cox notes that straightening the existing channel would benefit boat traffic. She also suggests that the City will need to coordinate with the City of Salem on moving the Federal Channel, since it could impact mooring space on the Salem side of the harbor. ECDC Minutes 11-08-06 ECDC Meeting Page 3 of 4 Cox suggests that the ECDC propose to the Mayor that City of Salem counterparts be included in the discussion on the relocation of the federal channel. Updates from City Planner a. 128 Overpass Project Cassidy updates the ECDC on the 128 overpass project and explains that there are six or so alternative designs being investigated currently as an Environmental Impact Report is being prepared. She notes the project would encourage economic development, improve safety on and near Route 128 as well as improve the quality of life for the residents in the Dunham Road area. She reviews three of the conceptual designs with the members. She notes that the Environmental Impact Review is expected to be completed by the end of next spring. b. Ice Rink RFP Cassidy explains the location of the proposed ice rink and notes that the property would be leased to a rink operator. In addition to tax and lease revenue, the City expects to receive reduced-rate ice times for Beverly organizations and the public as a result of the Request for Proposals process. The RFP will be issued early this winter. c. Development of Parcels near Beverly Airport Cassidy notes the locations of the parcels that were included in the City’s Request for Proposals and summarizes the responses for members in terms of proposed uses and proposed building sizes. The City is negotiating lease terms with the proposed developers, who are all expected to begin their respective permitting processes as soon as possible. Next Meeting The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. Douglas : motion to adjourn, seconded by Grimes. All members in favor, motion carries. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ECDC Minutes 11-08-06 ECDC Meeting Page 4 of 4