2012-09-12CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Wednesday, September 12, 2012
LOCATION: Beverly Public Library — Staff Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Guanci, Tina Cassidy, Charlene St. Jean,
Don Fournier, Mike Collins
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairman Neil Douglas, Bill Howard
OTHERS: Mayor William Scanlon, Economic Development Planner
Denise Deschamps
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
Guanci calls the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Discussion: Update on Brimbal Avenue/Route 128 Overpass Improvement Proiect
(stakeholders meetings, progress on proiect funding) - Mayor Scanlon
Mayor Scanlon addresses the ECDC and reports that the City submitted a MassWorks grant
application for $5,480,000 to the State last Friday. He notes that in order to get started on the
project they are looking at it in two phases. The $5,480,000 MassWorks application would cover
the cost of construction of the first phase of the project.
Scanlon reports that area businesses are willing to invest in their businesses and mentions in
particular CEA Group representative Steve Cohen, who is ready to invest $20 million in his site
across from the Vittori -Rocci Post and has an anchor tenant already identified. He also notes
that the City has reason to believe that Beverly Hospital is willing to invest $95 million in a new
building on its site.
Scanlon projects that Phase 2 might cost an estimated $19 -20 million.
Guanci asks if Phase 1 could happen without phase 2. Scanlon states that it is possible, but
without the overpass in Phase 2, both the North Shore Music Theater property and the former
Parker Brothers property now owned by Cummings will always be difficult to access and
develop meaningfully.
Cassidy says she does not expect funding announcements anytime before the election in
November.
Deschamps adds that there were letters of support for the project submitted with the grant
application from several communities and from the North Shore Alliance for Economic
Development.
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St. Jean asks about the possible taking of the gas station on Brimbal Avenue. Mayor Scanlon
explains that using the gas station property for the access road would have resulted in the project
going through a wetland and MassDOT does not want to do that.
Guanci notes that Phase 1 will have no impact on the residents.
There being no further discussion on this matter at this time, Councilor Guanci thanks Mayor
Scanlon for the update.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the June 6, 2012 meeting were presented for approval. Guanci asks if there are
any corrections. There are none.
Fournier: motion to approve the minutes of the ECDC meeting held on June 6, 2012 as
amended, seconded by St. Jean. All members in favor, the motion carries 5 -0.
3. Update from Planning Director Tina Cassidy on Development Projects and
"Development Scorecard"
Kelleher — Vacant lot now owned by Flatley, currently being marketed with abutting property.
MBTA Garage — Next T hearing is October 2012. Site work to start late October 2012.
232 -234 Essex Street — Withdrawn from consideration early summer 2012.
Former Infiniti Building_ Construction complete and building is fully rented.
Wellington /Oak Heights Modification — Denied by Planning Board; new one lot application
pending in Wenham.
Corner of Dodge and Conant — approvals granted summer of 2012. Construction under way.
79 Rantoul Street — Public Hearing started in June 2012. Ongoing.
Black Cow — Cassidy reports that BPM appealed the Chapter 91 License and it could take a year
to solve, but the Attorneys are confident that the City will ultimately prevail.
Cassidy reports that there are no new projects to report on at this time.
4. Proposed Residential TIF District
Cassidy explains that at the request of Beverly Main Streets the City Council is considering
whether to create a tax increment financing district for residential projects in an area along
Rantoul Street near the Depot. She explains the process for adopting a TIF district and the
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benefits of this process for the area. Cassidy requests that a letter of support from ECDC would
be helpful to present to the City Council.
Fournier states that he is comfortable with this and could support it. He suggests that Cassidy
contact Douglas for input on the letter since he is not in attendance this evening.
Collins: Motion that the ECDC send a letter of support to the City Council for the
proposed residential TIF district. Fournier seconds the motion, all in favor. The
motion carries 5 -0.
5. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on December 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
6. Adiournment
Guanci asks if there is any other business for the Council to conduct at this meeting. There is
none.
Collins: motion to adjourn, seconded by Fournier. All members in favor, no one in
opposition. The motion carries 6 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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