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2014-09-03CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: September 3, 2014 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chairperson), David Brewster (Vice Chair), Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King, David Long, James Matz, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb & Sandra Stacey BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner OTHERS PRESENT: Paul DiBiase DUC Residential, LLC; John Ogren Hayes Engineering; Brian McGrail Esq.; Jenny Helmick Waldorf School RECORDER: Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Principal Items of Business 232 Essex Street — OSRD Site Plan — Discussion rmardin2 disposition of open space with applicant DUC Residential, LLC c/o Paul DiBiase & proiect engineer John Ogren James Matz summarizes how the applicant has been before the Planning Board as part of subdivision approval process and approval for Open Space Residential Development site plan. He states that the applicant has met with the neighbors who have been supportive of the project. Brian McGrail, development team attorney, Paul DiBiase principal /owner and John Ogren project engineer representing the applicant. McGrail notes this is an open space development that requires a yield plan illustrating what could fit in a conventional subdivision if there was not an open space component or 19 lots. Discussions with Montserrat neighborhood group last summer resulted in the developer agreeing to a 16 -lot subdivision, which is now before the Conservation Commission. McGrail notes as part of the OSRD process, Kelleher Pond and wooded upland open space needs to be protected permanently by some mechanism. Discussion ensues about the developer's interest in conveying Kelleher Pond to the City for recreation or conservation. He suggests that the open space in the back of the subdivision would be managed by the homeowners association to preserve it for wildlife habitat and passive recreation. John Ogren describes how the 18 -acre parcel includes pond area with R -15 zoning, and the average lot size in this design is between 7,000 and 8,000 square feet. He goes on to explain the development in general, noting that the open space calculations consider unbuildable areas including the wetland resulting in 13.7 acres of open space including the pond. The developer is Open Space & Recreation Committee September 3, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 allowed to disturb up to 50% of the property and 71% of the property will remain in its natural state. Discussion addresses public trail access at the site including the pond as well as the trails within the wooded open space next to Hannah School, with Mann noting that the trail is used frequently and it connects to other areas. DiBiase states he is not opposed to public access to the wooded area but notes that the open space would be for the benefit of the homeowners association. Discussion ensues about the possibility of splitting the wooded area between the City and the homeowners association, as well as the possibility of an easement. Discussion also touches upon enforcement of the restriction for the open space being the City's responsibility. Discussion addresses soil testing done at the site and how back portion was filled in with organics (i.e., rocks and stumps) as well as brush although nothing hazardous was identified in smaller mounds. This material will be removed and restored to natural elevation. A large mound of fill is no longer at the site. McGrail asks if the OSRC would be amenable to supporting the transfer of the Pond to the City and splitting the wooded area between the City and the homeowners, and a third option of an easement over the trails in the wooded area short of transference. Gardner moves that the OSRC support the ownership of the pond and the surrounding green space be transferred to the City of Beverly, that the upper half of the northerly section of the wooded open space be transferred to the City, and finally, that short of conveyance of the wooded open space to the City, the Committee would be supportive of a pedestrian access easement to the trails to be granted by the developer to the City. Seconded by Mann. The motion carries 10 -0. The OSRC thanks the project team for its time. Stacey leaves the meeting for the evening. Proposed Nature Program at Moraine Farm — Discussion with Jenny Helmick, Coordinator, Nature Program, Waldorf School at Moraine Farm Jenny Helmick describes the Waldorf School's Science and Nature Program being developed at Moraine Farm including farming in 3 rd grade, botany in 5 th grade and geology in 6 th grade. She notes that a more robust program is in the works for the wider community. One component is a series of events (i.e., four a year) partnered with others at and /or beyond Moraine Farm where the public would be invited. She notes that OSRC was involved with the Farm as part of the Earth Day walks and Waldorf School would like to participate for future walks. Also, citizen science events such as orienteering, tracking and nature journaling will be done at the Moraine Farm fall festival on Saturday, September 27. Educational events also include gardening, bee keeping, astronomy and working with the CSA. Helmick explains details about a November 1 daylong event for parents and educators to be done with David Sobel, Professor at Antioch University, who teaches about methods to reconnect Open Space & Recreation Committee September 3, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 children with nature. This seminar is in partnership with the North Shore Sustainability Partnership, and Kestrel Educational Adventures. Registration will be required for the kick -off event. Discussion addresses how information on this could possibly be put on the OSRC Facebook page. She adds that the Waldorf School is looking to expand its middle school community service opportunities where some could potentially be coordinated with the OSRC. Discussion ensues about how next year is the 10 year for the Committee doing Earth Day walks and there is interest in boosting events that draw children so this could be done in concert with the School relative to Moraine Farm. The OSRC offers to help Helmick promote the November event with flyers and online. Discussion ensues about curriculum topics including environmental science that could include watershed protection (i.e., Wenham Lake). There was also mention about TTOR and effort to get more public access to its land where the School is not involved. The OSRC thanks Helmick for her time and looks forward to working her and the School in the future. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — July 2, 2014 Members provide amendments to Maxner. Brewster moves to accept the minutes for July 2, 2014 as amended. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 8 -0 -1, eight in favor, one abstention by McCrory as she did not attend that meeting. Principal Items of Business, continued Si2nne — Subcommittee Report on Activities Discussion ensues about how the Mayor has agreed that funding from the Cummings Foundation could be sought for signage, and details about trail signs at the street and trailheads relative to aesthetics and practicality for hikers. Members of the subcommittee agree to arrange to meet before the next OSRC meeting. Open Space & Recreation Plan Update — Discuss new goals /obiectives /actions for next 7- Year Plan Maxner reports that new Associate Planner Allison Crosbie will be working on the plan updates, will create a scheduling framework, and attend the Committee's next meeting. Other Business & Updates Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on Committee Activities/Meetings McCrory updates the Committee on ongoing action being taken by CPC on project proposals with some votes taken. The OSRC discusses 10% CPA set aside for open space, potential projects that the Committee could be targeting (i.e., Tanzella Hill). Other Business/Updates Brought Forward by Committee Members Open Space & Recreation Committee September 3, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Discussion ensues as to work performed by the City DPW at Greens Hill, Mann encourages members to walk the site as some trails were widened quite a bit and slash left over in areas. He notes that he met with Mayor Cahill, Mike Collins, David Lang and Maxner at the site and walked all of the trails slated for more work, explaining that he advocated for keeping the current conditions so that visual connections won't be established from the trails straight through to the school and grounds. King provides an update as to the Community Garden group's efforts to organize and establish an administrative board, noting that the inclination is to stay a separate entity but collaborate with the City of Beverly. Next Meeting Agenda Maxner will place the Community Garden group on the agenda, as well as time to work on the Open Space Plan update with the Associate Planner. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Brewster moves to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Seconded by Matz. The motion carries 9 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at City Hall, 3 rd Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.