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2015-01-07CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee January 7, 2015 Charlie Mann (Chairperson), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David Gardner, David Long, Marilyn McCrory, Sandra Stacey, Bill Squibb Elizabeth Dunne, Barbara King, James Matz Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner Allison Crosbie, Associate Planner See Attached Sign -In Sheet for Members of the Public in attendance RECORDER: Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann introduces himself and calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomes everyone to the meeting. Public Input Meeting — City Council Chambers Open Space & Recreation Plan Update Phase Maxner welcomes everyone to the meeting and describes how the Open Space & Recreation Committee (OSRC) with the help of the Planning Department is in the midst of updating the Open Space & Recreation Plan (OSRP). Tonight is an opportunity for the Commttee and the Department to hear from the citizens of Beverly as to their thoughts on the priorities and needs for open space and recreation in the City to help shape the next 7 -Year Action Plan for the OSRP. Mann reviews the OSRC's purpose, mission and activities as an advisory Committee within the City. He notes how the open space and scenic landscapes benefit everyone in the City in many ways and lends to the high quality of life in Beverly. He explains the many partnerships with local non - profit land trusts and other organizations that the OSRC has maintained throughout the years. Many trail improvement projects are credited to the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scout candidates. Maxner explains importance of OSRP to help decision makers in the City about how land is used, developed and protected. The elements of the plan include information on the City's history, population characteristics and inventory of natural resources. She explains that a state - approved plan is required for the City to be eligible for State grant funding. She reviews the sections of the Plan that must be updated, the most important being the 7 -Year Action Plan which serves as a roadmap for decision making on open space and recreation matters in the City. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 7, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 She notes accomplishments from the last 7 years: • CPA being adopted in Beverly in 2012 that resulted from the OSRC holding exploratory meetings and assistance from a small instrumental group that formed out of those meetings. • Acquisition of an easement over private property to conservation open space land on Tall Tree Drive and creation of trail. • Pending Conservation Restriction for Norwood Pond open space where ECGA will be steward of the property. • Pending City purchase and protection of Camp Paradise, made possible in part with CPA funds and State PARC grant • Near completion of tax title taking of parcel 27X that will complete Greens Hill trail loop from Bridge Street to Green Street along the Bass River. • She reviews other accomplishments such as: watershed protection overlay district ordinance update, Kelleher Pond to be transferred to the City, kiosks installed at various open space areas, OSRC webpage updated /enhanced and OSRC Facebook page established, Earth Day Walks, OSRC review of plans submitted to other Land Use boards for consistency with the OSRP, work with several Eagle Scouts on numerous trail improvement projects, work with New England Mountain Bike Association worked on numerous trail maintenance and new trail blazing efforts. Allison Crosbie, Associate Planner introduces herself and provides an overview of the on -line survey, with results from over 95 responses so far. She encourages everyone to take the survey if they haven't yet as the response window is still open. She displays and reviews PowerPoint slideshow that show tables and graphs with question results, noting that major themes included: • Increased and improved public access to the waterfront • Increasing recreational opportunities in the downtown and densely developed areas of the City (i.e. pocket parks, tot lots, green spaces, urban garden plots etc... ) • Need for safe and cohesive trail connections throughout the City for biking and pedestrians • Need for better way finding signage and updated maps that are readily available She explains other topics mentioned included scenic views, observation of nature, walking, playground and young children activity, reading /relaxation, aerobic exercise, dog walking, social interaction (i.e., picnic), access for canoes and kayaks, community gardening, team sports and fishing. Objectives of interest were protecting drinking water supply, protect water resources and access to water, preserve scenic areas and views, create healthier transportation options, update and improve neighborhood parks, walking fitness trails, additional sites for conservation, increasing number of bicycle trails, preserving historic character, improve playgrounds, increase number of family picnic areas, increase recreational facilities, increase number of playgrounds, add dog parks, additional recreational areas (i.e., basketball courts). Crosbie goes on to note that slightly more than half of the responders visit the open space and recreation sites weekly and do so with their own vehicles. Waterfront is a big issue where residents would like to see improvement and more access with benches, parking and restrooms Open Space & Recreation Committee January 7, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 as well as fix up the downtown (i.e., Rantoul Street), and acquire property. Trails and more paths to make more loops and connections. Also, making West Beach open to the general public. Maxner and Crosbie open the floor to the audience and welcome questions, comments and thoughts on planning for open space and recreation over the next 7 years. Conservation Commission Vice -Chair Robert Buchsbaum speaks to public rights -of -way relative to the Ancient Highway and waterfront access. Maxner responds that signage could make this well -known and established. Also, that Conservation Commission projects have enabled re- establishing parts of Ancient Highway in a piece meal fashion and this is a difficult private property issue. The Ancient Highway was created by the dissolved Essex County Commission that formerly conducted a yearly review so there is no longer an enforcement presence. She states that there is a great deal of interest in waterfront access so this will require focus by the City. Mann notes the need to first identify documented public access and ensure these area are open and inviting. City Councilor David Lang mentions how such an effort will require patience when working with private land owners relative to public access. He suggests that a subcommittee could be formed to address public parks (i.e., Ober Park) noting that they do not get used much due to lack of maintenance. Bruce Doig, Director Parks and Recreation, described how CPA funding has helped with his department's programs and how he needs to understand priorities related to OSRP. A general discussion with meeting attendees ensued regarding water access rights and need for City to maintain properties in several area. Another attendee states her wish that the vacant commercial property at the old Friendly's on Rantoul Street be purchased for downtown greenspace or community garden/urban plots. She also suggests the need for better publicity related to OSRC activities to make the public more aware of open spaces in Beverly. Mann describes how OSRC is working on signage to identify trails and how a trail map is on the website. Discussion ensues about draft MAPC Complete Streets Plan map out and identify bicycle trails where many are located on street and how existing streets can be made more bike friendly. Maxner explains that OSRP plan looks at five -acre properties for acquisition and in dense areas downtown identifies connections for Emerald necklace trail system. Gardner summarizes when OSRC was created in 1999 an inventory of all properties of any size with no structure were reviewed with properties of most open space interest identified, and a meeting was held with landowners early on to explain financial benefits of land protection methods. He adds that intent is to link neighborhoods especially in areas such as Ryal Side that is very dense. Discussion ensues about trail from Dodge Street to Norwood Pond, which needs new kiosk and more visible signage, although there is no parking to the trail. A few members of the audience mention the opportunity missed at the Ventron site, which is approved for a 72 -unit residential development but has been sitting idle for several years. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 7, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Discussion ensues about City owned parcels in Pole Swamp Lane area that City and Conservation Commission have been advocating to place in the care of the Commission since it has large holdings in that area so a consolidation could occur. This initiative will be resurrected with the new administration to get this transfer done to Commission. Mann describes how 23 properties in the City have been identified with owner unknown, seven identified as worthwhile for open space, and meetings have occurred with City Solicitor about getting those into the tax title taking process but this is slow going. Discussion addresses whether or not priorities from old OSRP will roll over to the new OSRP (i.e., protection of golf and tennis club and related land). Attendees express interest in the OSRP addressing the preservation of forage habitat (i.e., grasslands) for bees, butterflies and bats as well as natural vegetation areas for wildflowers, with educational signage related to these topics could be used to increase general awareness on the topic. Discussion addresses coyote situation in Beverly and that the City reactively manages wildlife. In addition, maintenance of active grassland and ponds as well as specific plant communities that provide habitat should be included in the OSRP. Mann explains that the plan does not target active species management per say, but may be an incidental byproduct of land protection efforts. Maxner mentions how the Committee reviews proposals that come before Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and offers input as to how the proposals could interface with OSRP and further its goals as part of development. Discussion addresses how Kelleher Pond and Standley Street area would be good areas for forage vegetation. Maxner reminds the group that there is still time for individuals to provide responses to the survey for the next two weeks. That Planning Department staff will begin to compile information and update sections of OSRP and work with the Committee to develop a seven -year action plan to be discussed at March 4, 2015 OSRC meeting. The draft plan will be posted on the City's website and reviewed by Planning Board, Conservation Commission and City Council for endorsement and updated plan will be sent to the State for approval hopefully sometime in May. She thanks everyone for attending the meeting and for their input. Regular Committee Business Committee members move the meeting to the Conference Room. School Athletic Field Encroachment Resolution Maxner provides a brief overview of the draft resolution that has been developed with the coordination between the Conservation Commission and the Waring School. She notes that the OSRC was part of the site walk with the parties last October. General discussion ensues as to the pros and cons of the draft proposal, with members agreeing that the City is not benefiting from the proposed exchange. Mann notes that Ed Becker, Executive Director of Essex County Greenbelt, does not believe this is commensurate mitigation for the field encroachment and indicated his reservations for taking this current proposal to the donor family. Brewster offers a Open Space & Recreation Committee January 7, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 counter proposal that encourages a 3:1 land swap ratio, a Waring contribution for CR endowment and costs, codified parking for trail users. Gardner expresses his concern that the current proposal results in no net increase in protected land area or access to trails on protected land and requires a lot of time and resources from the City and Essex County Greenbelt staff Maxner notes that the proposed conservation restriction on the encroached piece and a 1:1 swap of land may not meet the standards of the State for approving a CR Maxner notes that this would constitute an Article 97 transfer which will require a unanimous vote by the Commission, and a two - third's vote by the City Council and the State Legislature. Gardner notes that the encroachment has been going on for many years and the entire issue could be resolved if the School is required to simply vacate the conservation land. He speculates that the School could move or rotate the field on their property, shorten the field and use it as a practice field, or procure additional land for playing fields. After due discussion of possible alternatives and revisions to the proposal, Gardner moves that the OSRC write a letter to the Conservation Commission with the following comments and suggestions as just discussed: • The land swap area should be increased to a 3:1 ratio. • At least two parking spaces should be set aside for trail users, only when not in use by the School, and this grant of use should be codified in a recordable agreement. The spaces can be relocated to another area on campus should the School need the parking lot for other uses. • Access to the trail head from the parking lot should be clearly prescribed and codified. • A conservation restriction should be placed on the encroached piece being transferred to the School that would prohibit future building or other alteration of the land. • The cost for legal work and Registry filing fees should be paid by Waring School. • The costs for Essex County Greenbelt Association (ECGA) to assist with the conservation restriction should be offset by a donation from Waring School to ECGA. An amount to be mutually agreed upon. Seconded by Brewster. All in favor the motion carries 7 -0. Maxner will draft the letter and edit with Brewster for his final signature as Vice Chair of the OSRC. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Brewster moves to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Seconded by Stacey. The motion carries 7 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.