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2007-03-14 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic and Community Development Council MEMBERS ABSENT: RECORDER: March 14, 2007 Beverly Public Library Patricia Grimes, Frank Killilea, Ed Cahill, Tina Cassidy, Neil Douglas, Don Fournier, and Bill O'Hare None Eileen Sacco Grimes calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the ECDC meetings held on January 10, 2007 and February 21, 2007 were presented for approval. Fournier: motion that the minutes be approved as submitted. Douglas seconds the motion, all members are in favor. The motion carries. Scope of Study Area for Bass River Grimes explains that tonight's agenda focuses on providing feedback to the Planning Department regarding the area that should be included in the study of the rezoning of the Bass River area. Cassidy reviews a map of the area and notes the areas that are potentially under consideration for the study. She explains that the area along the "working waterfront", roughly encompassing the area between Rowands and Tuck Point and along Front Street at the toe of the slope along Water Street is one study area. The second study area encompasses the land along the Bass River, roughly between Pleasant Street and perhaps Elliott Street (although several members had previously suggested that the study area not extend that far). Cassidy explains that one of the purposes of the rezoning is to provide more revenue enhancement. The Master Plan previously concluded that this area was "underperforming" in terms of tax revenue, and capable of supporting alternative uses. In particular, the Master Plan recommended small-scale, first floor retail uses with residential units on upper stories. She explains that this will was envisioned as a smaller scale commercial district than is Cabot Street. Cassidy also notes the City is investigating the possibility of dredging the Bass River, noting that it could ultimately be cost prohibitive to do so. She explains that the City has Minutes Page 10f5 03/14/07 ECDC Meeting a State grant for $105,000 to do extensive sampling to see if dredging would be financially feasible. Cassidy explains that discussions after the Master Plan's completion raised a fundamental issue about the future of the industrial uses in the area. If the area is rezoned to something other than "IG", where would those industrial uses go? Grimes asks if those businesses would be grandfathered. Cassidy explains that they would be grandfathered, and could stay as long as they remain as they exist now. Expansion of those uses would become difficult if not impossible though, and that over time market forces might drive them out of the area. Douglas suggests that they set the easterly boundary of the study area along Rantoul Street. He questions where the edge should be noting that the ECDC heard a creative presentation of a proposed project at the last meeting that included a piece of land that is zoned IG but extends to Rantoul Street. He further notes that one of the priorities of the ECDC should be to give the Rantoul Street corridor priority. He adds that the potential rezoning will facilitate economic and community development in that area. He stresses that he would like to see the study area extend to Rantoul Street, where lots have frontage on both River and Rantoul Streets or where multiple lots in one ownership do likewise. Cassidy briefly explains the proposed zoning amendment that is pending before the City Council regarding the height along a portion ofRantoul Street. The proposed amendment would allow the Planning Board to grant special permits to allow buildings up to 75' tall, instead of the 55' maximum otherwise possible today. She also shows the location they are seeking to rezone. Douglas notes that if the zoning is going to promote private initiatives to create economic development we want to be as flexible as possible so as not to create a situation where a creative idea is complicated by permitting and design constraints. He states that he would like to see a creative solution, where a harmonious development of an entire lot could be treated in a coordinated fashion (some of the lots are partially zoned IG, partially CC). Cassidy states that she would like to see the lots that are "split zoned" such as the area north of Broadway that is zoned IG/CC be included in the study remain to consider whether some parts should be rezoned so that the entirety of the lot falls in the same zoning district. Douglas notes that the conclusion of the study may be different from the recommendation of the ECDC. Cassidy explains that the City plans to hold a series of public meetings for input from the public and owners of the properties. She explains that she wants to put together a group of five people to serve on a committee to interview consultants. She notes that she has the name of an individual who is knowledgeable in the "Smart Growth" concept at the State level who has expressed an interest in participating in this process. She also states Minutes Page 2 of5 03/14/07 ECDC Meeting that she wants to have a roundtable discussion between the consultant and members of the boards and commissions such as the Planning Board, ECDC, and the ZBA to get their input. Grimes notes that the ECDC has talked about not including the Stop and Shop/Bass Haven Yacht Club sites in the study. Fournier notes that the streets are natural boundaries and it makes sense to include Rantoul Street. Douglas agrees and adds that if we are trying to promote economic development we need to make it a little easier than the complicated process that exists today, and advocates that lots along Rantoul Street should be included in the study area if consistent zoning and/or property ownership warrants. Cassidy asks if they are suggesting that the area go all the way down Rantoul to the industrial area on Elliott Street. Killilea states that would be complicated and suggests that they take it to Elliott Street and stop there, noting that it will include the neighborhood around the City garage. He notes that the City has to expand the municipal facility at Park Street in the near future. Cahill notes that the area of Roundy and Elliott Streets and the end of Park Street is residential in character. Grime notes that the study and the scope of work should have leeway to look at that. Grimes asks about the future of the Friendly's site. Cassidy explains that the owner is finalizing redevelopment plans for the site at the moment. She says that the owner told her the development would be a mixed use project but she does not have any further details on it. Cassidy recaps the plans for organizing the screening committee to assist the Planning Department in hiring a consultant and to facilitate the process. She notes that there will be a series of public hearings for public input as well as input from city boards and commissions. She notes that the ECDC is recommending a defined area of the City for the study, not necessarily concluding that it should be rezoned - just studied. Douglas states that it makes sense to create a group to help choose the consultant but is concerned about the degree to which they should stay on and dictate the process. He states that he is concerned about the direction of the study and the zoning. He notes that he does not see this group as having a role in the process but would be productive in the selection of the consultant. Cassidy clarifies the intended role of the committee during the study process and that is to assist in keeping the process productive but not to dictate the outcome. Minutes Page 30f5 03/14/07 ECDC Meeting She indicates that Miranda Gooding, Bill Finch, and John Thomson have agreed to serve, and two others are pending. Douglas states that he doesn't know of any policy that has a greater impact on economic development than the community's zoning policy. Cassidy states that the members of the ECDC will be notified of all of the meetings and agendas of the meetings for the group. O'Hare suggests that someone who lives in the neighborhood should be included on the committee. Fournier questions the need for the group if Cassidy has the authority to hire a consultant. Cassidy explains that she has selected a number of consultants for various studies and projects, and that some may ultimately have not been the best choice. She explains that the expertise that would be represented on this steering committee would assist her in the selection process. She notes that the purpose of the steering committee would be to select a consultant and stay on to guide the process, but not for the purpose of deciding policy. She will be looking at firms that have done similar work in other communities similar to Beverly. Killilea suggests that the consultant chosen commit that his or her top five people will work on this study. Douglas asks what the budget for the study is. Cassidy explains that she has about $60,000 and she is hoping to spend about $50,000 as she would like to use the other $10,000 for a Great Estates Ordinance. Fournier states that he is hoping for a quality job and notes that the highest and best use for the area is the concern. Douglas notes that if the study costs more than $60,000 he would recommend focusing on one area unless the City can come up with more money. Cassidy reviews the study area as being from the Bass River to Rantoul Street and Elliott Street back to School Street, not including the Stop and Shop property. Douglas suggests that consideration be given to inviting specific large property owners to come to meetings to talk about their plans and what they might do with their property. Cassidy agrees and states that she thinks that is a great idea since the owners know the areas and could be a good source of information for the consultant. Killilea suggests that National Grid be included in discussions as well. O'Hare states that it would be great to get the neighborhood involved right from the start. Minutes Page 40f5 03/14/07 ECDC Meeting New / Other Business Douglas suggests that at the next meeting, the ECDC should revisit the mISSIon statement. He feels that the ECDC needs to re-delineate their priorities and decide which issues to emphasize. He suggests the Committee meet with the Chamber of Commerce. Cahill says he will bring the issue up to the Chamber at the next meeting. Douglas says that hearing Chamber input would enrich the process with thoughtful ideas. Cassidy suggests that they may also want to involve Main Streets and suggests inviting Ann Marie Casey to address the ECDC. Douglas states that the ECDC has had a year of experience and he feels that we need to be as creative as possible and if we pull together the best minds and positive energy we can make a positive impact on economic development and the community. Cahill notes that the Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors sent a letter in support of the zoning change in the height requirements for buildings along Rantoul Street. He notes that they are very interested in working with the ECDC and the City as a whole on economic development issues. Grimes requests that the ECDC get an update at the next meeting on pending and future projects in the City. Cassidy notes that there are four vacancies on the ECDC and asks that the members think about possible candidates to fill them. She notes that the staff is trying to recruit some members from boards and commission that should have representatives on the ECDC. Next Meeting The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on April 18, 2007. The meetings in May and June will be held on May 9,2007 and June 13,2007. Grimes asks if there are any other issues to discuss. There are none. Douglas: motion to adjourn, seconded by Fournier. All members in favor, no one opposed. Motion carries. The meeting adjourns at 8:45 p.m. Minutes Page 50f5 03/14/07 ECDC Meeting