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2013-09-19CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Joint Public Hearing of the Planning Board and the Beverly City Council Date: Thursday, September 19, 2013 Location: Beverly High School Auditorium Members Present Chairman Richard Dinkin, Vice Chair John Thomson, Ellen Hutchinson, Ellen Flannery, James Matz, John Mullady, Michael O'Brien, Charles Harris, David Mack Members Absent None Councilors Present: Council President Paul Guanci, Vice President Wes Slate, James Latter, Maureen Troubetaris, Don Martin, Scott Houseman, Jason Silva, Scott Dullea, Brett Schetszle Members Absent: None Others Present: Mayor William Scanlon, City Clerk Kathleen Connelly, City Planner Tina Cassidy, Rod Emery of Jacobs Engineering. Recorder: These minutes were transcribed using the video taken by Bevcam by Eileen Sacco Continuation of Joint Public Hearing of the Planning Board and Beverly City Council Order #128 — Proposed Amendment to Zoning District May to Rezone State -Owned Land from IR to IR Overlay Councilor Troubetaris led the Pledge of Allegiance. Guanci announces that he is going to continue with the list that was established on Monday evening and requested that if people wish to speak that did not sign up to do so on Monday, they may do so now. Guanci calls the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Dinkin joins the Council on the council podium. City Planner Tina Cassidy addressed the council and Planning Board and explains that the purpose of the hearing this evening is to consider a zoning amendment. Cassidy explains that the city has been working with the State on a redesign of the Brimbal Avenue /128 Interchange which would include the reconfiguration of highway ramps that are part of the Phase I of that project and would be located on Brimbal Avenue. She explained that the CEA Group has agreed to a land swap for the states abutting land and highway off -ramp to accommodate Phase I of the project. She further explains that the land which CEA Group would receive and build their project on is currently zoned IR and the request before the city at this time is to rezone that land from IR to IR Overlay to permit the uses that CEA proposes. Cassidy also noted that those uses would still only be allowed through a special permit from the Planning Board. Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Cassidy notes that during the first part of the public hearing several speakers raised concerns about how the design would work and so they have invited Rod Emery of Jacobs Engineering to make a presentation. Mr. Emery addresses the Council and the Planning Board and explains that he has been working closely with the city on this for a long time. He reviewed the history of the project noting that since 2003 the interchange area has been identified for improvement. He noted that the environmental notification form filed with the state at that time did not advance. He further explained that the regional and state economic development policy supports development around exit 19 and the state has an aggressive improvement plan and Mass Works funding was secured for an interchange improvement study. Emery explains the problems to be addressed in the area. Emery reviewed the existing level of service at the intersections as follows: • Level of Service F at the left turn form the off ramp at Brimbal Avenue • Level of Service F at the left turn from the Connector to Sohier Road • Level of Service F at the left turn from Herrick Street to Brimbal Avenue Emery reviews the substandard and inadequate ramp conditions as follows: • Substandard deceleration lane for Route 128 North off • Substandard Acceleration lane for Route 128 South on • Substandard Radii Acceleration Lane for Route 128 South on • Substandard Acceleration Lane for Route 128 North on • Substandard Deceleration Lane for Route 128 South off Emery noted that the spill back from Sohier Road onto Route 128 Backups occur during non- recurring congestion. He explained that the Sohier Road queues can extend onto the route 128 mainline and there is insufficient storage for high peak demand queuing. Emery explains that they reviewed crash rates for 128, Brimbal Avenue, Sohier Road, Dunham Road, and Herrick Street. He explains that the five areas have higher than average crash rates for the state. He also noted that they focused on sidewalks as well noting that the present conditions provide poor accommodations for bicycles. Emery explained how they analyzed traffic. He reported that they looked at base traffic flow from 2012 and estimated future travel demand. He explained that they looked at regional background growth and also looked at planned projects in the area. He also noted that they reviewed the distribution of new trips coming and going from the area. Emery reviewed the information used to estimate how much traffic will be in the area as follows: Page 2 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 • Future land use estimates were provided by the City plus a 0.5% annual background growth • MAPC regional planning agency 2011 study estimates were similar • Phase 1 traffic assumed four specific developments would be contributing traffic by 2020 • Phase 2 analysis will rely on CTPS long -range forecast of trips Emery reviews vehicle per hour tip estimates for two way traffic on Brimbal Avenue in 2020 at AM and PM peak hours as follows: 2012 (Existing) 2020 (Background) Proposed Shopping Center Existing Commercial Expansion Totals AM Peak (vph) 1,300 53 59 1,420 PM Peak (vph) 1,319 52 30 60 1,461 Emery reviews the routes that traffic take, noting that most use route 128 for access to the area. He also reviews the vehicle trip distribution for the development. Emery reviews the traffic study conclusions as follows: • Relocate Connector Road to allow larger storage bays to improve safety at the off ramp • Roundabouts are needed at the Connector Road • Implement "Complete Streets" for all users with sidewalks and bike lanes. Emery reviews the traffic estimations that they think that the traffic changes might be. He explains the distribution patterns to the existing community. He noted that they looked at the related connector road to allow improve safety at the off ramp. He also noted that the round abouts are needed at the connector road and explained that the state is requiring that proposed projects investigate the use of them if they are considering traffic lights rather than just install traffic lights. He also noted that the implementation of this design will result in complete streets for all users with sidewalks and bike lanes. Emery reviews the permitting for the project. He explains that the city has received a waiver from MEPA on the EIR but noted that the project will be reviewed by the Beverly Conservation Commission, noting that DEP has questions regarding the former use of the CEA site as a dump and that will be taken into consideration when the Conservation Commission reviews the project for wetlands and stormwater management in the fall of 2013 Emery reported that the construction documents are in the early preliminary stages and explained that the state will be reviewing them in detail and it will also go through a peer review that will be requested by the state and from there move on to 25% design. Emery explains that the interchange improvements will; • lessen the backup of traffic at the 128 ramp at exit 19 • improve travel times Page 3 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 • lessen traffic congestion at exit 19 at Brimbal Avenue and other roads in the project area • improve substandard geometrics at exit 19 • improve the quality of life for the residents Emery explains that the project will be done in two phases. He explains that in phase one the roadway intersections will be improved to Brimbal Avenue, Sohier Road and the connector road. He also notes that phase one will improve safety and intersection performance and improve travel times. Emery explains that phase two is the preferred alternative noting that an expanded interchange with an additional bridge over route 128 with on and off ramps and the removal of substandard ramps for the existing interchange. Guanci opens the hearing up for questions from the public at this time. Louis Bourgeois of 9 Walnut Avenue addressed the Council/Planning Board and stated that he thinks that the map is too small. He expressed his concern about the additional traffic on Brimbal Avenue and noted the traffic issues at the North Beverly train station. He also challenged the estimate of 8 additional cars due to the shopping center. He asked what the traffic counts are for the traffic at the Commodore Plaza in North Beverly. Cassidy reported that she did not have that information this evening but noted that the proposed shopping area is 70,000 s. f. Cassidy also explained that if and when the developer proposes a project the Planning Board will do Site Plan Review and they will also have to approve a Special Permit. She noted that the Planning Board will require a traffic study at that time. She also noted that the Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission will review the project as well. Mr. Bourgious asked why the city does not just take the property that they need by eminent domain instead of taking care of the developer. Cassidy explains that taking the land by eminent domain is very expensive. Mayor Scanlon addressed the Council/Planning Board and explained that the city cannot afford the $4 million dollar obligation that an eminent domain taking would cost. He further explained that the state department of transportation has not had the funding for the project and it meets the criteria for the goals of the Economic and Community Development office. Mayor Scanlon explained that the Stop and Shop in North Beverly is approximately 2 times the size of the proposed store on the CEA site is 35,000 s.f. Doreen Sport of 8 Dunham Road addressed the Council/Planning Board and stated that she was told years ago that Dunham Road would be a dead end. Cassidy explains that it has been a matter of funding, noting that if it were a dead end there would be no access for Cummings to get out of their site. Page 4 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Mayor Scanlon explained that the project cannot be done all at once due to finances. He explained that the $5 million for phase 1 is a start and he is hoping that phase 2 is only 3 or 4 years out. Ms. Sport also asked if any homes would be taken for the project. Cassidy explained that she does not envision that any homes will be taken for the project. Rich Krisco of 7 Bayberry Lane addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he is concerned about the traffic at the railroad tracks and stated that he would like to see a traffic study on that. Cassidy explains that the City has had ongoing and so far unproductive discussions with the MBTA regarding the long timing delays with that signal. She stated that a new signal may be needed and funding takes time, noting that we have to keep lobbying officials for it. Krisco also suggested that Tozier Road should be looked at for access to the shopping center, noting that quality versus quantity is an issue and there are a lot of people excited about a Whole Foods. Ron Gerard of 1 Melburn Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he is concerned about the diameter of the proposed roundabouts. Emery explained the design of the roundabouts. Gerard questioned how many cars a roundabout could handle at a time. Emery explains the traffic flow in a roundabout is different from a rotary and explained that one car at a time will be passing. Simon Haight of 35 Beaver Pond Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he does not agree that the EIR for this project would be a hardship for the city. Cassidy explains that the city received $500,000 for the design last year and there is a pending application for $5 million dollars and the waiver was needed for the application. Ms. Sullivan of 569 Essex Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and expressed her concern about trees and green space being destroyed for this project. She stated that Whole Foods is overrated and will draw more traffic to the area. She noted that traffic on every street in the City of Beverly is disgusting. Emery noted that they are not advocating building anything with this proposal for a zoning amendment and if a project is proposed it will be reviewed by the City at that time. Pamela DeAngelis of 207 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and asked if any of the turns that are LOS F are in the top 100. Emery explains that they are in the crash cluster noting that the traffic study found intense queuing of cars from 5 -6:30 and there are 10 -12 cars in the queue. He also noted that the Northshore Music Theater has no traffic in the queue until 6:45 p.m., noting that if there is a police officer there, there is no problem. Emery also noted that the state has to design this for everything peak. He also noted that the propose to restripe Brimbal Avenue @ Dunham Road to create a safety spot off ramp. Page 5 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Vicky Cozzolino of 24 Nelson Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that she feels that the traffic improvements are good. She also stated that she does not think that another shopping area is needed and suggested that low income housing or condos should be built there. Mr. Lucci of 130 Colon Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that there is an election in November and three new city councilors and a new Mayor will be elected. He suggested that it would be a good idea to hold off on this for 90 days. Richard Tabbut of 57 Sonning Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he concerned about traffic backup on 128 noting that he is also concerned about his back up route to get home on Sohier Road. Emery explains that there will be two lanes of traffic open on Brimbal Ave and Sohier Road during construction. Chris Snow of 72 Northridge Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he has heard that if the zoning change does not go forward the developer is going to build anyway and he feels that this is a done deal. Cassidy explains that this is not a done deal and explains that the IR overlay district is zoned so that the Planning Board has to approve a Special Permit for the uses. She explained that the proposed zoning has a number of uses that are allowed by right and the owner has a number of options to develop the land without a special permit. Tabbut stated that the land was a former dump and the site has issues. Cassidy also noted that there are some environmental issues with the site and explained that the developer has some information on that but she does not know of any further documents, noting that when they come in with a proposal that is a fair question. She further noted that Phase 1 cannot be built without the land swap. Andrea Grant of 3 Pinewood Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions if there will be four lanes on Brimbal Avenue. Emery stated that there would be too much traffic for one lane and explains that the roundabouts will be used to facilitate the flow of traffic. He stated that they are proposing roundabouts at Brimbal Ave and Sohier Road and a traffic light at Herrick Street. Lenore Gall of 8 Cross Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that she sees a lot of red herrings in this proposal. She stated that she is struggling with this because there could be 30 -40 other solutions for this. She stated that this makes sense to her but it seems like this is the option that has not been disapproved by the state. She stated that a lot of facets of the project are positive but she questions how it is from an environmental standpoint, noting that there have been no discussion on that. Mr. Leonard Richardson of 109 Odell Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that there is too much traffic now and a Whole Foods will make it worse. He also expressed concerns about there being no public transportation on Brimbal Avenue. Page 6 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Cassidy states that she does not know of any plans by the MBTA to add that service. She stated that the City of Beverly recently joined the North Shore Transportation Management Agency which is designed to encourage cities and towns to explore alternative modes of transportation. She also noted that there is a Shoppers Shuttle downtown that goes to North Beverly and the City could look at expanding that. Planning Board Chairman Richard Dinkin addresses Mr. Richardson and states that lots of people would like to see improved public transportation but that issue should be taken up at the state level. Mari Rallis of 42 Parramatta Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and asked if Phase 1 is the traffic improvements and Phase 2 is the development of the area. Cassidy explained that both phases will have a blend of both. She noted that some businesses have indicated that they are looking at expanding. She also noted that phase 2 includes quality of life issues for the Dunham Road residents explaining that the project will facilitate traffic of the businesses to get on and off 128 without going by the residences. Rallis asked if the traffic improvements could be done without the Whole Foods. Cassidy explains that they are integrated because the developer would not be willing to swap the land because he would not be able to develop under the existing zoning, noting that the developer has to be sure he has the possibility of the uses. She noted that this would only give him the conduit to get the permits that he would need. Don Walters of 15 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and notes that he is a former Planning Board member and recalled that there was testing done on the CEA site a few years ago and questions where the data from those tests are. Cassidy explains that four years ago there were some vents installed on the site and she is not sure if they ever submitted the reports to the Planning Department. She noted that if they did they would be in the file which is a public record. She further noted that at the time the testing was done they were not trying to permit a project so it is possible that they did not submit the reports. Walters states that roundabouts were constructed in Newburyport and he has seen reports that trucks have trouble with them, noting that the Fire Chief has concerns about fire apparatus negotiating them. He also stated that two lanes of traffic makes a roundabout a rotary. Steve Cohen, owner of the CEA property addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that they have done a tremendous amount of testing on the old landfill and he has the reports. He reported that they have been working with DEP and have done test borings and installed wells to understand the status of the materials below. He stated that methane gas has been found and they have worked with DEP engineers to determine what has to be done to be sure that the area is safe. He noted that no hazardous waste to speak of has been found on the site and that traces of lead paint from the disposal of construction debris has been found. He also noted that there is a small amount of landfill gas being emitted in one or two spots and there are no unknown issues. Page 7 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Emery explains that roundabouts are not just one lane noting that he has seen them with as many as three lanes. He explains that the state is hesitant to go from nothing to multi lanes. He explains that cars have to stay in one lane and there is no crossing over. Walters recalled that when the hospital built their parking garage a site visit was held and everything was staked out. He requested that a site visit be held and that the proposal be staked out so residents can get an idea of what this will look like. Dinkin states that it is very unusual for the Planning Board to hold a site walk for a zoning amendment. Emery stated that they have done them in the past for MEPA and they could do that. Rose Maglio addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions how many lanes Otis Road will be when Phase 2 is completed. She also asked what the width of Brimbal Avenue will be before and after the construction. Emery stated that the answer is that they do not know at this time because the design has not been done yet. He explains that they will do a study for Phase 2, noting that they know enough about the area to think about a bridge at the end of Otis Road, but that is not 100 %. Anthony Shelton of 36 Dunham Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that he is concerned that the residents will be subject to industrial uses in their neighborhood. Emery explains that this shows a preliminary pass at what the interchange will look like and the ENF shows schemes but nothing is proposed at this time. He explains the proposed design of the roundabout at Brimbal and Sohier Road noting that it is the preferred design of the state. Anastasia Leonagos of 18 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that it seems like this project is going to make it safer and called the elephant in the room the shopping area. She states that there has to be a solution that solves the traffic problems in the area separate and apart from the development without creating more traffic. Emery stated that we are not here this evening to build a shopping area, explaining that they are trying to assess what the traffic would be and how this would work with a future development. He noted that funding is tied to a piece of the project. He further noted that there are a lot more checks and balances that will be done during the permitting process for any proposed project at the State level with DEP, Peer Reviews, and at the local level with Planning Board Site Plan Review process. Leonagos states that she is concerned about forcing traffic and air quality issues further into the community. Jennifer Morris of Budleigh Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that traffic is a mess in the city. She stated that the models do not include details that a Whole Foods will change the dynamic of the project. Page 8of17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Cassidy agrees explaining that it is essential that the question be asked again when and if a project is proposed. She explains that the traffic numbers presented now do not represent what the traffic will actually be. Scott Ferguson of 2 Palmer Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that there will be unintended consequences from this proposed change. He reported that he counted 96 cars turnaround on Palmer Road because the traffic backup on Brimbal Avenue was bad. Ferguson asked if the vehicle trips estimated are per hour. Emery reported that they are per hour and at peak times of 7:00 a. m. — 9:00 a. m. and 3:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. Rene Mary of 274 Hale Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and expressed her concern about the queuing of traffic on 128 at exits 20A and 20B. Matt Kelsch addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that the intent of the Mass Works grant is to support the development of housing. Mayor Scanlon explained that it is intended to support Housing and Economic Development noting that Northridge is considering the prospect of building additional housing on their property. Dick Woodbury addresses the Council/Planning Board and asks what the maximum height allowed for a building on the CEA site would be. Cassidy stated that CEA could build a 60 foot building. Woodbury stated that there would be many benefits to Northridge noting that irrigation issues that exist would be addressed and they have been working on that for a long time. Woodbury addressed the issue of additional housing and stated that the Board of Northridge has a responsibility to protect the shareholders /owners values and they would consider every possibility to do that. Kelsch states that according to what he has read 100% of the funds must be used for housing. Bill Soares of 26 Putnam Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions how many traffic controls will result from phase 1 and phase 2. Emery estimates that there could be 6 -8 in the whole project both phases. Soares asks if there is anywhere he could go to see what a roundabout is and how it works. Emery states that there is one in Plymouth Mass., located off Route 3 at South Street. He explains that the area houses a high school, hospital and a court complex. Soares asks how the police are going to monitor "crazy people" driving. He also expresses concern about fast food restaurants and questions if the Planning Board can regulate that. Page 9 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Cassidy explains that the Planning Board discusses the options but they do not have the authority to pick and choose what can be built. Councilor Schetszle states that he is going to bring in an order that would amend the IR Zoning Ordinance to prevent off premises food establishments such as McDonald's or Dunkin Donuts. Daniel Fishman of 36 Colgate Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and asks if there will be any public takings in Phase 1. Emery states that CEA has some land takings in the proposal. John Hall of 143 Collins Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he does not understand the necessity in moving the access road noting that it will only benefit the North Shore Music Theater. Emery explains that the additional new traffic to existing businesses has been considered included the possibility of the shopping center. He noted that the roundabouts will result in less queuing, noting that the average was determined throughout the various seasons. He further noted that it will improve the traffic. Mary Rodrick of 19 Peabody Street addresses the Council/Planning Board questions why this cannot be handled with signs noting that the problem is the ability to make a left turn onto Brimbal Avenue from Sohier Road. She noted that the North Shore Music Theater has a traffic officer out there and it solves the problem. Emery explains that the State will not go for signage. Rodrick asks if the City could install signs. Emery states that the City could do it but noted that the connector road is a state highway. Tracy Milkay of 17 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions how this could be considered with a full traffic study being completed. She stated that this rezoning is the hinge pin to a whole process that will open the flood gates for more development. She stated that she feels that all of the information should be available before making this decision. Milkay also asked what the time frame is for Phase 2. Emery estimates that it could be 3 -4 years. Mayor Scanlon reported that discussions have been held with the state that an additional $5 million dollars could be granted for Phase 2. Milkay states that she is also concerned about property values, noting that North Beverly is also facing the Kelleher Pond project. She states that it seems that we are being sold Phase 1 with idea that Phase 2 will solve everything. She also noted that she is concerned about snow storms when traffic comes to a standstill. Page 10 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Cassidy explains that the Planning Board reviews snow removal and snow storage areas with the developers when they consider projects. Guanci calls for a five minute recess at this time. Silva moves to recess for five minutes, seconded by Latter. The motion carries. Dinkin asks for a motion to recess for five minutes. Thomson moves to recess for five minutes, seconded by Flannery. The motion carries. Walters requests that the reports on the site be made available to the public. Mr. Cohen stated that he would make the reports available. The meeting reconvened at 10:20 p.m. Guanci opens the hearing up for comments from the public and notes that he will be calling people to speak from three lists noting he is using the lists from the meetings held on September 3, 16, and this evening. Lynn Cram of 6 Lowell Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that she has concerns about traffic. She states that she does not agree that traffic backs up on 128 noting that she has seen cars backed up at exit 19 and again at North Beverly. She also states that if paving roads in the city is dependent on the revenue projected from this it is time to audit how the city spends money. Cram also noted that small towns that are not developing have nice roads great schools. Kathy Bear of 6 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that she feels that more solid data is needed before making this decision. She stated that the area is not a business district with a few houses in it, it is a series of neighborhoods. She further states that this process has not been transparent enough to include the public in the process. She states that the lack of transparency keeps everyone in the dark. She urged the Council and the Planning Board to retain the current zoning and give people a chance to work together. Richard Hutchinson addresses the Council/Planning Board and disclosed that he is a member of the Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission and he is here this evening speaking as a private citizen and is not speaking on behalf of the PTC. Hutchinson states that the new shopping plaza will not increase traffic on Brimbal Avenue. He notes that people in the Cove area and others will use Sohier Road. He also states that we should be happy to bring people from Danvers to Beverly noting that we have been shopping there for years. He also states that much of the traffic that the project will bring is already here and the majority of the added traffic will be added to the new constructed roundabouts. He also noted that the addition of a Whole Foods will likely lessen the traffic to Shaws in North Beverly. Rick Marciano addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he is very disappointed in the lack of transparency in this process. He also states that he is concerned about property Page 11 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 values. Marciano states that he has an alternative plan that will save millions of dollars, noting that we must take businesses and the livelihoods of the citizens. He urged the Council/Planning Board to vote no on this matter and invite all to work together on a plan with less impact on the neighborhood. Gary Barrett, Executive Director of the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development addresses the Council/Planning Board and stated that this project is a great economic opportunity for the city that cannot be passed on. He states that investing in the traffic improvements will lead to opportunities that could otherwise take years to come to fruition. Rose Maglio of 30 Pleasant Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that she opposes the rezoning from IR to IR Overlay noting that it will allow uses that will be intrusive to the neighborhood. She also questioned map and parcel numbers on the plan. Maglio also expresses concern about the need for more commercial retail businesses which will take away from the businesses downtown. Maglio also expresses concern about the impact of this project on the Brimbal Avenue residents. Cassidy clarified that the restaurant uses would be allowed by Special Permit of the Planning Board. Michael Lawlor of 10 Presidential Circle addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he drives Brimbal Avenue every day and he rarely sees cars backed up on the ramp. He states that the city should insist that the North Shore Music Theater pay for a police officer to keep the traffic moving. He further states that he would rather see the money spent in North Beverly noting that there are 25 cars backed up there at 128 South. He suggests that officials talk to residents of Danvers and see how they feel about Endicott Street. He urged the Council/Planning Board to deny this rezoning. Bruce Nardella of 194 Dodge Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he is a former City Council President and he has lived in various parts of the city. He states that he has lived on Dodge Street for the past 26 years. He notes that he has some experience with these kinds of decisions and he appreciates the work that has gone into this and he is a strong supporter of this project. He states that he travels Brimbal Avenue twice a day and he understands the concerns of the residents, and they want it to remain as it is. He noted that he feels that if the city stands still on this now they will be moving backwards. Nardella explains that the traffic improvements will make this area safer and if the city can afford to do it they should. He recalled that the rezoning of the Stop and Shop parcel was controversial as well and they spent over four months hearing testimony from people that was very similar to what he is hearing this evening. He stressed that not one of the things that were predicted happened. He further noted that there is a lot of traffic, but the result of the Cummings Center project is that the city has rebuilt all of the elementary schools and a new high school, parks and playgrounds as well as infrastructure improvements. He further noted that the rezoning helped to revitalize the city. He states that the people of Beverly are demanding and Page 12 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 noted that additional traffic does not mean that we should not do this. He urged the Council/Planning Board to approve this rezoning. Josh Morris addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he disagrees that fixing the traffic with more cars is a good thing. He reviews the traffic in the area and the numbers presented. He urged the Council/Planning Board to deny this at this time, continue the discussion and apply for the grant next year. He states that the economic benefits do not outweigh the traffic concerns. Ernie Stanton of 133 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Counci/Planning Board and states that he is in favor of the this for one reason and that is that it will make that area safer. He notes that people cut through his property all the time and he has also seen accidents in the North Shore Music Theater area. He states that he agrees that there will be an increase in traffic and he drives the street every day. He also noted that everyone has a car or two these days. Stan Schroder of 4 Nelson Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions where the soil sample documentation is noting that without it they are risking putting people at a significant risk if residential units are built on the site where there is landfill gas. He states that we are swapping clean land for dirty land that could now be the City's problem. Mike Halley of 16 Broadway addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he is familiar with the development that CEA has done. He states that downtown Beverly will be affected by this project. He notes that there will be changes in the Council and the Mayors office in January and he would like to see the resources used to improve what is here. Lisa LaFlam of 29 Budleigh Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that she is strongly opposed to this proposal. She notes that there is currently heavy traffic on the neighborhood streets. She further notes that I has everything anyone could need and another shopping plaza is not needed and will significantly increase traffic. LaFlam states that the left turns are hard to navigate and a study should be done to alleviate that. LaFlam also states that she works in the Cummings Center and there is no good way out of Beverly at 5:00 p.m. She also states that she is concerned about property values and voters pay taxes and there are other ways to spend money in the city. She also states that she is concerned that the area will become like Route 1. Mike Logan of 15 Walnut Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he is concerned about traffic. He notes that in the summer traffic backs up on 128 and traffic flies down his street, further noting that there are 11 small children on his street. He states that this project only benefits the developer and suggests that the city paint arrows on the lane like they did in Danvers. Ellen Appalloni of 28 Budleigh Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that she feels that Budleigh Avenue has been forgotten in all of the plans and studies that have been done regarding traffic. Page 13 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Guanci asks if there is anyone present who has not been heard from that wishes to make a comment. Louis Bourgeois of 9 Walnut Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and expresses his opposition to the proposal. Bill Soares of 26 Putnam Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he is concerned about increased traffic and he is against this proposal in its current format. He states that approving the zoning opens up everything. He also states that the proposals will result in 8 traffic signals in the area. He also notes that there are two elementary schools and two nursing homes in the area that should be taken into consideration. Soares reviews an email that was issued by Mayor Scanlon and made his personal comments about the information in it. He urged the members of the Council and the Planning Board to wait for more information and look at the design a little closer noting that they may be missing an opportunity at this time but they could have a project that people could agree with. Soares states that he has a background in construction and has been involved in road work and he has rarely seen this kind of outpouring from residents opposed to a project. Dick Woodbury of 52 North Ridge Road addresses the Council/Planning Board and thanked Mayor Scanlon for his open door policy, noting that he has had many conversations and meetings with him over the last few years. Woodbury states that the residents of North Ridge are the stockholders in the facility and the Board of Directors are charged with protecting them. He noted that there are gases at the old landfill site and further noted that there are no gases at North Ridge. He states that it is clearly better to put a road on the old dump than a residential development and he is in favor of the proposal. Dan DeAngelis addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that he feels that they need a more transparent process and suggests that based on the information provided the proposal should be denied. He called for a more open process stating that this should not have got to this point and urged the Council/Planning Board to step back and consider the quality of the life of the residents and let the city decide as a whole on this proposal. Denise Sullivan of 569 Essex Street addresses the Council/Planning Board and thanked the people who came out tonight for this meeting. She states that when she first moved here Essex Street was a quiet street and it is not that way today. She expresses her concerns about traffic on 128 particularly in the summer and notes that a Whole Foods will draw more traffic than Shaws. She also states that she does not believe that one job will be created that will pay a living wage for someone to buy a home in Beverly, noting if that were the case she could agree to this. She urged the members to slow the process down and look at this more carefully. Anastasia Leonagos of 18 Brimbal Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that there is an election coming up and urged members to focus on the citizens and balance this Page 14 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 proposal and consider the regional impact of it. She states that she feels that the creation of jobs will be short term noting construction jobs. She also questions if the city has enough information to make this decision and urged the members to vote to deny this and propose something that will benefit the citizens of Beverly. Jennifer Morris of Budleigh Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and questions if this is the only way that this can be done. She states that this cannot possibly be the only design and the city should work with the developer to put something else on that site. She states that it should be something that cannot fit downtown but would benefit the community and not compete with the other local businesses that are trying to survive. She further states that she feels that there is a lot of room to work together to shape this and come up with different alternatives to address this. She also states that she feels that there is a false sense of urgency to this and the city should tap into the intellectual capital it has in its citizens. Vicky Cozzolino of 24 Nelson Avenue addresses the Council/Planning Board and states that 128 was built in 1958 and unless that highway gets the adjustments that it needs traffic will always be there. She states that she feels that there are other pressing issues with Brimbal Avenue such as the traffic caused by the train signals that back up at the traffic light. She also noted that the traffic signal located at Nick's Roast Beef was not there to control the traffic but rather to keep the cars off the train tracks. She states that she cannot agree with the proposed zoning change or the potential project. Guanci acknowledges that he has received letters of support regarding the proposed zoning change from the North Shore Music Theater, the Beverly Chamber of Commerce. Guanci also noted that he received a letter in opposition from Andrea Grant of 3 Pinewood Avenue. Guanci asks if there are any questions or comments from the members of the City Council. There are none. Dinkin asks if there are any questions or comments from members of the Planning Board. There are none. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Guanci asks for a motion to close the public hearing. Latter moves that the Public Hearing be closed. Troubetaris seconds the motion. The motion carries (9 -0). Thomson moves that the Planning Board close the Public Hearing. Flannery seconds the motion. The motion carries (9 -0). Guanci calls for a motion to refer the matter to the Beverly Planning Board for a recommendation. Motion: Silva moves to refer the matter of Beverly City Council Order #128 — Proposed Amendment to Zoning District Map to Rezone State -Owned Land from IR to IR Page 15 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Overlay to the Beverly Planning Board for a recommendation. Latter seconds the motion. The motion carries (9 -0). Motion: Silva moves to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Troubetaris. The motion carried (9 -0). Dinkin informed those present that the Planning Board would be holding a meeting this evening to make a recommendation to the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 a.m. Page 16 of 17 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 19, 2013 Beverly Planning Board Special Meeting Minutes Board: Special Meeting of the Planning Board Date: Thursday, September 19, 2013 Location: Beverly High School Auditorium Members Present Chairman Richard Dinkin, Vice Chair John Thomson, Ellen Hutchinson, Ellen Flannery, James Matz, John Mullady, Michael O'Brien, Charles Harris, David Mack Members Absent None Others Present: Mayor William Scanlon, City Clerk Kathleen Connelly, City Planner Tina Cassidy, Rod Emery of Jacobs Engineering. Recorder: These minutes were transcribed using the video taken by Bevcam by Eileen Sacco Dinkin convenes the special meeting of the Planning Board. Discussion/Recommendation: Order #128 — Proposed Amendment to Zoning District Map to Rezone State -Owned Land from IR to IR Overlay Thomson: motion to recommend to the City Council that it adopt Order #128. Seconded by Harris. The motion carried (8 -0). The meeting is adjourned at 12:45 a.m. Page 17 of 17