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2014-09-11CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: Thursday, September 11, 2014 LOCATION: Beverly City Hall Conference Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Michael Cahill, Neil Douglas, Don Fournier, Bill Howard, Aaron Clausen, Mike Collins and Michael O'Brien MEMBERS ABSENT: Council President Paul Guanci, Charlene St. Jean OTHERS: Karen Nascembini RECORDER: Eileen Sacco Clausen calls the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. He informs the group that Mayor Cahill will be joining them shortly and suggests that he update them on the DPA process and the Brimbal Avenue Project Discussion/Update: Beverly Designated Port Area (DPA) Clausen reports that the Planning Department submitted the City's Boundary Review request by the office of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management in April and the request was accepted. He explained that the public process has started and a public hearing was, He noted that the 30 day comment period for CZM ended on June 6, 2014. He estimated that the process will take 3 -6 months. He estimated that the process could be completed as early as December 2014 or February 2015. Douglas asks what the extent of the Beverly review is. Clausen explains that this is not a visioning process noting that CZM is trying to understand what is going on at the harbor front. He noted that they are looking at the uses and are scheduling meetings with the property owners. He explains that the current uses are commercial fishing, boat storage, limited boat repairs. Clausen explains that a draft report will be received by the city and a public hearing will be held to review it and there will be a 30 day comment period following the public hearing. He also noted that the final report will be received 60 days from the end of the comment period. Howard asks if there is any consideration given to Chapter 91 in this process. Clausen explains that the criteria of the review is to understand the charge of the DPA and the critical area that will be looked at is the land side, noting that they will break it down into planning units and consider those individually. ECDC Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page I of 5 Clausen notes that the Recreational Marina and the Commercial Marina are not considered to be in the DPA. Councilor Latter asked who the decision maker would be. Clausen explains that CZM staff signs off on the decision and there is no appeal process. Councilor Latter asks if there is any chance that this could get hung up with a change of administration at the state level. Clausen explains that the process is statute specific and is not discretionary and the decision has to be based on the statute so he does not anticipate any hold up in that regard. Clausen notes that the more he looks at the DPA he sees nothing worth keeping it as a DPA. Douglas agrees noting that it should be eliminated totally noting that reasons for the decision made in the 50's and 60's for economic development to create jobs in the waterfront industrial area purposes have changed. Clausen agrees noting that commercial fishing could be better controlled through local zoning. He also noted that CZM understands that this is being done in conjunction with local rezoning. Clausen explained that the local rezoning process kicked off in June and over the last few months they have met with local stakeholders such as the commercial fishermen, Tuck Pont Condo Association, Beverly Port Marine, Goat Hill residents, Jubilee Yacht Club and have received feedback from them. He explains that they are putting that feedback together to create goals and objectives for the rezoning. He also explained that they are getting input from the Parking and Traffic Commission, Clausen reports that the neighbors indicate that they would like to see a mixed use on the waterfront. Clausen explains that they will compile the feedback received to provide a framework plan and the ordinance will be drafted for review in December with the hopes of a final draft being approved by February 2015. He also notes that in the meantime the city has an Interim Planning Overlay District in place. Douglas asks if there is a willingness to create more slips in the harbor. Clausen states that there is but that would require moving the federal channel. Douglas notes that residential development would require a creative look at parking and suggests that it might not be the best use. Clausen states that some thoughts have been expressed regarding a parking garage within walking distance noting discussions with the Goldbergs and a possible mixed use project on the Ventron site that had underground parking under consideration at one time. He notes that there have been some inquiries about the Ventron site and they plan on ECDC Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page 2 of 5 including the site in the new zoning district. He notes that this would tie the east and west sides of the Bridge to make it a little cleaner. Douglas states that we have to think creatively with regards to setbacks and height requirements noting that the previous requirements resulted in squeezing buildings in tight spots. He suggests that there needs to be some element of evaluation of proposals that will result in attractive development. Clausen agrees noting that the design requirement and zoning regulations will need to offer some flexibility in design. Clausen suggests that at the next meeting he will review a draft of the framework of the plan to get feedback from the members of the ECDC. Mayor Cahill arrived at this time and assumed the chair. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the ECDC meeting held on July 10, 2014 were presented for approval. Howard moved to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2014 ECDC meeting as presented. Latter seconded the motion. The motion carried. Discussion: Update on the Route 128 / Brimbal Avenue interchange improvement rp olect Mayor Cahill reported that during the last couple of months they have been busy submitting information to MEPA. He states that we have presumptive approval of DEP and Department of Transportation permits. He notes that everything is on track for Phase I. He explained that the waiver for the EIR needs to be extended and notes that Rod Emery met with MEPA last week. He explains that they have agreed to withdraw the prior filing and refile it next week. Mayor Cahill reviews the timetable for the project noting that once the project goes out to bid the grant will be released. He notes that he expects construction to start in the spring. Douglas asks what the status of the design is. Mike Collins reports that the design is at 75% has been submitted to the Department of Transportation. He noted that they are proposing to use pedestrian crossing signals that stop traffic when activated. Douglas expresses his concern about pedestrians trying to cross four lanes on traffic near the Rocky Post. Collins explains that proposed lights with the new design should work very well and be effective. Mayor Cahill agrees noting that they have reviewed the design and taken the concerns raised at meetings into consideration. He also explains that the round abouts are meant to be traffic calming and will slow the traffic down considerably. ECDC Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page 3 of 5 Mayor Cahill reports that the CEA Group proposal has been received and will go to the Planning Board at their meeting next week and a public hearing will be scheduled. Douglas states that he would not be opposed to sufficient signalization to stop all traffic regulating the four lanes of traffic to cross at the roundabout. Mayor Cahill explains that there will be protected places for pedestrians to stand when crossing the lanes. ?? (woman) addressed the ECDC and states that she would like to see pedestrian bike lanes noting that there are some but none that go up to the Monserrat area. Collins explains that they are working on a regional bike path routes and they are actively pursuing those links when there is money available. Mayor Cahill explains that the eventual Phase II of the project will include roundabouts at Otis Street and Sohier Road. He also notes that the projected increases in traffic include the build out of Beverly Hospital and the proposed Whole Foods. Douglas notes that safety was a major concern of those that spoke at the meeting at the Senior Center and it is a worry for him also. Latter states that the proposed development by CEA and the Brimbal Avenue project will result in a better situation than the signal that was proposed prior to this. Howard asks if any progress has been made regarding the train stations. Mayor Cahill reports that they met with the MBTA and the key is technology. Cahill explains that a new platform needs to be built at Monserrat noting that when the train stops the engine is in the roadway presently. He also explains that they are starting to look at road improvements as well noting that they are looking at a right turn lane at Dodge Street. Mayor Cahill also notes that CEA has been asked to provide a traffic study that includes all ends of the area. Clausen added that the Planning Board is expected to hire a third party review of the traffic study. Collins agrees noting that if the developer is creating a problem they are expected to fix it. Update on Rantoul Street Construction Proiect Mayor Cahill reported that they had hoped that the project would be out to bid last spring and now they are hoping to get it done by the end of the federal fiscal year which is at the end of this month. He notes that the project is about to be advertised with the hopes that the construction will start at the beginning of the spring construction season. Latter asks if there could be a delay in the project due to the change in administration at the State level. Mayor Cahill states that he does not think that will happen noting that the Secretary of Transportation has expressed confidence in the current time table. Clausen agrees noting that the project is federally funded and the staff will be less affected by political winds. ECDC Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page 4 of 5 Development Scorecard Review Clausen updated the ECDC members on active projects throughout the city. Mayor Cahill reported that a study of the utilization of the municipal parking areas is being conducted and they are also researching a pilot program for parking passes for residents and businesses. Mayor Cahill reported that the MBTA garage is now open and notes that there are 117 spaces near the depot. He explains that the MBTA is pushing for the city to get rid of them to push people into the new garage but he is not inclined to do so at this time, hoping that they will come up with some incentive for the city to do that. He notes however that they do not seem receptive to that at this time. Douglas agrees that metered and paid parking has an impact on locations with regards to economic development. New or Other Business Update Proposed ECDC Ordinance Amendment Mayor Cahill reported that the ECDC Ordinance is presently being reviewed by the City Council Committee of Ordinances and Legal Affairs and he expects that it will be referred out for a vote of the City Council at the September 15, 2014 Council meeting. Next Meeting The next meeting of the ECDC will be on October 9, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. at Beverly City Hall in Conference Room B. Adiournment Fournier: motion to adjourn, seconded by Douglas. The motion carries. The meeting is adjourned at 6:00 p.m. ECDC Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page 5 of 5