2015-02-04CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
February 4, 2015
David Brewster (Vice Chair) arrived at 7:30 p.m., Elizabeth
Dunne, Barbara King, David Long, Marilyn McCrory, Bill
Squibb
Charlie Mann (Chairperson), James Matz, David Gardner,
Sandra Stacey
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Rachael Abell, Ayers PTO Representative
Jane Dooley
Dunne calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Principal Items of Business
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update — Synthesize Survey & Public Hearing Feedback,
Begin Drafting Next 7 -Year Action Plan
Maxner notes that a few more survey responses were received after the public input meeting. The
Committee reviews the old 7 -year action plan including overarching goals, what work has been
done and what work remains. Discussion ensues as to how community gardening could be
incorporated into the action plan. Members agree that larger scale farmland should be included
as lands of high value and worth of protection under the first overarching Goal. Urban
agriculture /community gardening is discussed, with members agreeing that is an activity or type
of use of open land and perhaps placing language to that effect under the second overarching
Goal.
Under the third overarching Goal of Environmental Education, discussion ensued as to
increasing awareness relative to negative impacts from use of herbicide /pesticide and organic
lawn care benefits and options. This is being done on publicly owned land in Marblehead which
could be investigated. Also part of this goal is importance of education of municipal officials,
residents, businesses, etc. Discussion was on goal of regional trail system with its own set of
actions including tying to trail network throughout the City and neighboring communities' trail
systems. The OSRC could support the Bike Committee in implementing bike paths on quiet
streets (i.e., bike lanes on roadways especially when streets are redone coordinated with public
works for complete streets). This could be added to goal for opportunities to enjoy open space.
Maxner notes that of the 120 survey respondents those who said where they lived were from
Wards 1, 2, and 4. She summarizes recurring themes in the responses as waterfront access,
Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes
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improvement of downtown, safe connections and safety for bicycles, maintaining right of ways,
stewardship of trails to perform routine maintenance including trash pickup, update maps, utilize
CPA funds for acquisition of open space or identify grants and work with partner land groups
(i.e., ECGA, Conservation Land Trust). Dunne volunteers to speak with Gardner about regional
trail goal. Discussion addresses former Friendly's parcel on Rantoul Street that is approved for
commercial development.
Discussion ensues about how OSRC webpage users could subscribe to an email list to get
notifications of open space events. Also, how this information should be disseminated (i.e.,
schools, YMCA, garden committee, farmers' market) and in what timeframe is useful for
interested parties. In addition, that survey responses could be shared with other City departments,
City Council and Mayor. Discussion addresses having a one - question, annual survey located on
the website that asks for public input. Also mentioned was how the survey comments should be
organized to be helpful to City departments.
Planning Board Request for Comments - 44 & 52 Standley Street, OSRD Site Plan Initial
Review - RC Realty_ Trust c/o Thomas Carnevale & Paul J. Sweeney_ Realty_ Trust c/o
Donna Sweeney
Discussion ensues about eight housing lots proposed for Sweeney property development called
Standley Street Gardens. Maxner notes the applicant has submitted for an initial OSRD review,
with 3 concept plans to be considered. The OSRC reviews the concepts with the first providing
50% percent of the buildable area set aside as open space. Discussion addresses an unbuildable
space (i.e. ledge). Discussion ensues on how undisturbed contiguous open space could be
donated to the Conservation Commission or it could receive a Conservation Restriction and be
held under the ownership of the subdivision residents with public access restricted. Maxner states
that the project developer and engineer were notified that the community gardens will most
likely be relocated to the Con Com parcel immediately adjacent to the right of way will need to
be kept free for garden access. Maxner provides an overview of the Conservation Commission's
comments on its preferred concept plan. The Committee discusses the merits of each plan and
after due consideration agree to submit the following recommendations:
• The Committee was of the opinion that Conceptual Plan 43 is a preferable layout;
• This Plan concentrates development within the areas of pre- existing disturbance from historic
greenhouse operation and activities, thus keeping the more pristine undisturbed areas of the
parcel untouched and preserved;
• This Plan and keeps the undisturbed wooded ledge -laden section of the site intact;
• The positioning of the open space in Conceptual Plan 43 is most advantageous by consolidating
undisturbed forested habitat adjacent to existing protected Conservation land and yields 65% of
the site as open space;
• The Board should require that the developer fully construct roadway improvements all the way
to the Conservation land boundary including extending a waterline stub for future water
connection to supply the Community Gardens. Management of stormwater drainage should not
be directed toward the Conservation land so as not to impact the integrity of the right -of -way or
cause any flooding problems in the vicinity.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
McCrory moves that the OSRC write a comment letter with the as discussed. Seconded by King.
All in favor the motion carries 5 -0 -1 with Long abstaining.
Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities
The Subcommittee did not meet so there is no report.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
The Committee tabled two sets of minutes for review next month.
Other Business & Updates
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on CPC Activities/Meetings /2 ° d
Round Application Process
McCrory notes that the pre - application deadline on February 27t at noon.
Waring School land encroachment and proposed land swap
Maxner states she has prepared a narrative that was shared with Waring School and ECGA's Ed
Becker and OSRC. The Committee recommended a 3:1 land swap and the School would pay for
all lead work on Conservation Restriction, donate to ECGA for its stewardship role, codify
public parking spaces in the School parking lot and actual trail access. Waring School has agreed
to give all of the land it can to reach 3 to 1 land swap, will pay for CR costs and donate to
ECGA. Sticking points were codifying public parking and trail access because of accreditation
issue for security. The School offered to do calculations to assist with establishing two parking
spaces on conservation land at end of 25' right of way on pork chop lot side and the School is
investigating the logistics. Discussion ensues on trail access where Committee notes that if the
School is using the property then trail should not be accessed but when property is not being
used by the School access could be done. Maxner states that Becker is positive about progress
being made and after calculations on parking are received from the School he will approach
donor with solution. King offered to research documentation on how community gardens were
done in a similar circumstance in other communities.
The Committee recaps that members will review action plan in preparation for its next meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Dunne moves to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. Seconded by
Long. The motion carries 6 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.