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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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