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2013-09-17CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Planning Board Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Location: Beverly City Hall Members Present Chairman Richard Dinkin, John Thomson, Ellen Flannery, Charles Harris, Ellen Hutchinson, David Mack, Michael O'Brien, James Matz Members Absent: John Mullady Others Present: Assistant City Planner Leah Zambernardi Recorder: Eileen Sacco Dinkin calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m Subdivision Approval Not Required Plans (SANR's) 2 Melvin Avenue & Shortell Avenue — David Cahill Zambernardi explains that Mr. Cahill has submitted a SANR plan to convey an approximately 1319 s.f parcel from his property at the corner of Melvin Ave. and Shortell Ave. (Lot 165) to abutting property that he also owns on Shortell Ave (Lot 166). She notes that the parcel that is losing land will remain in conformity with the frontage and area requirements of the R10 zoning district after the land transfer. She also noted that the parcel receiving the land is currently a vacant non - conforming lot with approximately 4437 s. f. of area where 10,000 s. f. is required with 52.44 feet of frontage where 100 feet is required. The land transfer will bring this parcel into closer conformity with the R10 zoning district requirements. Zambernardi reported that the plan includes a notation that the 1319 s.f parcel is not to be considered a separate building lot. She also states that it is worth noting that a garage is currently located within the 1319 s. f. parcel to be transferred. She further noted that this action would result in the principal use of the receiving parcel becoming parking, which is not allowed in the R10 zoning district and to address this violation Mr. Cahill has added a notation to the plan that the garage will be demolished shortly after the plan is recorded. She also noted that the Planning Department staff has reviewed the plan and recommends endorsement of the plan as one not requiring approval under the subdivision control law. There being no questions or comments regarding this matter: Thomson: moves to endorse the plan for Subdivision Approval Not Required for 2 Melvin Avenue & Shortell Avenue. Mullady seconds the motion. The motion carries (7 -0). Discussion with Planning Director Tina Cassidy and Sam Cleaves, Senior Regional Planner for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 17, 2013 Cassidy addresses the Board and explains that the Planning Department has been looking at zoning in an effort to try and replace industrial zoning uses in the Bass River / Beverly Depot area of the city but it never really took off. She explains that with funding from the Barr Foundation and in concert with the Planning Department, MAPC will be conducting planning and transportation analyses of the area long the Bass River including Park and River Street. She further explains that the MAPC has allotted the city of Beverly $25,000 via a grant from the Barr Foundation for the study and the six month effort will lead to the development of an action plan for the area that will be presented to the Planning Board for consideration by the end of the this year. She introduces Sam Cleaves of the MAPC to address the Board. Sam Cleaves, Senior Regional Planner for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council addresses the Board and explains that the planning process will include public input via public meetings noting that the first public meeting will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Beverly Public Library. Cleaves explains that the study process will: Develop a vision with recommendations for changes to land use and zoning; Create a market analysis to provide direction for economic development; Provide recommendations for improving access by walking and biking, within the study area and adjacent downtown areas. Cleaves explains that Beverly's 2002 Master Plan lists the Bass River waterfront area as an area that is important to the continuing development of the downtown area. He noted that the study will include the industrial uses IG district between the Bass River, Rantoul and Park Streets, extending north to Elliott Street. He noted that rezoning away from industrial uses or offering a mixed use overlay could lead to a higher valued residential and commercial mix, including housing options priced for the existing and potential demographic of Beverly residents. Cleaves also noted that the anticipated commuter rail parking improvements and planned upgrade to route IA in downtown Beverly, will position the city to be an attractive location for young professionals working in the nearby Cummings Center or commuting by train into Boston. Cleaves also explains that a small working group has been established that will assist MAPC during the study. The following are members of the working group: John Emery Joe Zello John Clemenzi Thad Siemasko Joyce McMahon Scott Houseman Cassidy explains that MAPC and the working group met in early May and they have another meeting scheduled in October. Page 2 of 5 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 17, 2013 Thomson notes that National Grid and Moynihan Lumber are big stake holders down there, noting that National Grid will probably never leave so there would be no need to rezone that. Cassidy agreed noting that it might be a good idea to put them on the steering committee noting that they say that they are here for the long run, citing the improvements they have made to the site over the last couple of years. Mack notes that any project in this part of the city is always controversial and asked if there has been any feedback so far. Cassidy explains that they are in the early stages of the process and they should have a good idea of how people feel after the meeting on September 26 Harris noted that he has fished the Bass River for years and noted that the area is very underutilized. He recommended that to get a good idea to see the area by boat. Cleaves states that the Planning Board suggestions are in line with what they heard from the working group. Cassidy suggests that if members have any additional thoughts or questions regarding this they can email them to her. Dinkin thanked Mr. Cleaves and Ms. Cassidy for the presentation. Update of Inclusionary Housing Rules and Regulations — Fee In Lieu of Affordable Housing Units Zambernardi addresses the Board and notes that members will recall that Beverly adopted the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance in July of 2007. She noted that the ordinance requires that 12% of housing in a new development of 10 homes or more be reserved for persons of low or moderate income. The ordinance also allows several options to developers for providing the affordable units, one of which includes requesting a special permit to pay a fee to the city of Beverly in lieu of providing affordable units. She explains that the formula for the fee is provided in the Planning Board's Subdivision Requirements, Procedures and Supplemental Regulations for Inclusionary Housing. Zambernardi explains that the formula is 35% of the average of the lowest 50% of residential sale prices in the Beverly neighborhood in which the applicant is developing units for the three fiscal years immediately prior to the current fiscal year. She further noted that the Planning Board is responsible for updating the fee schedule annually without a public hearing, shortly after the close of each fiscal year. She explained that the request before the Planning Board this evening is to update the fee schedule for FY 2014 and a copy of the updated schedule has been provided for members review and approval. Thomson asks if anyone has ever paid a fee to the city in lieu of providing affordable units. Zambernardi states that no one has ever paid. She further explains that if payments are made they are to go into an affordable housing trust fund that has yet to be set up because it cannot be established until a fee is collected. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter: Page 3 of 5 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 17, 2013 Thomson: moves to approve the Fee Schedule for the Fee in Lieu of Affordable Housing Units for FY 2014. Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (7 -0). New Business Zambernardi recalled that in July, the Board held a discussion on procedures that could be implemented to make public hearings more expeditious. She recalled that scheduling of public hearings and the reading of department head comments were discussed. She explains that she talked with City Solicitor Roy Gelineau on the suggestions made. She reported that Gelineau reviewed the matters and has made a recommendation that with regards to the scheduling of public hearings a reasonable time frame should be given. Zambernardi explains that she surveyed the cities and towns of Melrose, Salem, Danvers and Newburyport and no one sets a specific time for the start of a public hearing. She also noted that the Beverly Conservation Commission and Zoning Board posts their public hearing start times as the meeting start time and follows the agenda for the meeting. She also noted that applicants could be given an approximate time they could expect to be heard at a meeting depending on the length of the agenda. Zambernardi also explained that with regards to the reading of comments from department heads most communities summarize the letters at the meetings but they could be provided before the meeting to the public, noting that it is important that the developer and the Board keep the public informed. Dinkin asked that a press release should be issued to be sure that the public is aware of the changes. Update on Community Preservation Committee Thomson updates the Board on the work that the Community Preservation Committee has been doing since they were established. He reported that they have held meetings and are in the process of adopting guidelines by January 2014 as required by law. He stated that they expect to have a draft ready by October and he will share that with members of the Planning Board when it is available. Thomson reported that it is expected that the CPA will collect $600,000 and the state will match $150,000. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Planning Board meetings held on June 18, 2013, and July 16, 2013 were presented for approval. Page 4 of 5 Draft Beverly Planning Board - Minutes September 17, 2013 Flannery: motion to approve the minutes of the Planning Board meetings held June 18, 2013, and July 16, 2013 as submitted. Mack seconded the motion. The motion carried (7 -0). Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Planning Board this evening a motion was made by Mack to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Flannery. The motion carried (7 -0) The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Page 5 of 5