ECDC Minutes 04-09-2015CITY OF BEVERLY
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council
DATE /TIME: April 09, 2015 at 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, Conference Room B
MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Clausen; Michael Collins; Denise
Deschamps; Neiland Douglas; Kevin
Harutunian(representing Mayor
Cahill); William Howard; Michael
O'Brien.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Fournier; Thomas Grant; City Council
President Paul Guanci; Richard Marino.
Call to Order
Aaron Clausen, Director of the City of Beverly's Planning and Development Department,
called the meeting to order.
Next Steps for the Waterfront
Aaron Clausen, Director of the City of Beverly's Planning and Development Department,
provided ECDC members with a section -by- section review of the proposed Beverly
Harbor District Zoning ordinance which would replace the Waterfront Development
District. This proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance is before the City Council
and was discussed at a Joint Planning Board and City Council meeting on April 6, 2015.
The focus of the new zoning code is on uses that reinvigorate the waterfront.
Once the new zoning code has been approved the City will issue an RFP for the
redevelopment of the city -owned parcel which was once the site of a McDonald's
restaurant. The RFP may be crafted to inform potential developers of any challenges so
that any proposal submitted would meet Chapter 91 requirements. The RFP should also
make the City's expectations for the site clear and describe the rezoning process that was
undertaken so that potential developers understand that the circumstances for developing
the property have changed since the last RFP for this site was issued.
The City is open to having a restaurant owner develop the site as well as an institutional
investor who has experience in creatively developing waterfront property. It would be
helpful to identify such developers to make sure they are aware of the RFP when it is
issued. The parcel of land owned by the City is relatively small. Future development
may involve a combination of properties. However, it will not take a lot of development
to create an active waterfront. The City is looking at what best fits in with the
neighborhood not necessarily what brings in the most revenue.
Phase II of the Brimbal Ave. Project
Currently, work is being done to relocate 400 feet of water main and prepare for ledge
removal. The CEA Group is preparing a document for MassDOT to request highway
access permits. They are also preparing an alternatives analysis to illustrate that their
proposed configuration works best. The City's Parking and Traffic Commission is
recommending approval of the CEA proposal and the City's Planning Board supports the
proposed access plan (onto Brimbal Avenue and the connector road). It was noted that
the Federal Highway Administration may need to become involved according to a
MassDOT staff person.
The next step is to refocus attention on phase 2 and potential funding mechanisms. The
Mayor has spoken with Secretary Ash of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic
Development (EOHED). Funding options are limited. Legislation to propose additional
federal funding for highways is unlikely. If additional funding is made available for
transportation it is likely it will earmarked for the MBTA. Many state projects are vying
for placement on the States' Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Real estate
development in the area is taking place, namely the Cummings property located off of
Dunham Road.
Project Updates
Sidewalk Dining Program The City is drafting outdoor dining regulations to be
codified by ordinance. Currently, the Directors of the Municipal Inspections and Health
Departments are reviewing the draft regulations. The aforementioned departments are
two of the most directly affected by the implementation of such a program. The City
initiated a sidewalk dining pilot program several years ago in collaboration with Beverly
Main Streets. Beverly Main Streets will be asked to review and comment on the
regulations currently being drafted. The need to provide accessibility to individuals with
disabilities may limit the areas where sidewalk dining may take place due to the
narrowness of some sidewalks.
Ellis Square Improvements The City of Beverly's Community Preservation
Committee approved $177,663 for improvements to Ellis Square. The total budget for
the project is estimated at $277,663. Beverly Main Streets has committed to fundraisng
the balance. As fundraising proceeds the City is working with the landscape architect,
Matt Ulrich, to finalize plans and refine a work schedule. The City will likely dedicate
additional funds to the project related to resurfacing Church Street which will be
disrupted by the installation of new curbing as the footprint for Ellis Square is enlarged
along with the sidewalk on the other side of Church Street. The existing veterans
memorial will be replaced. Veterans are supportive of the project. In the future a call to
artists will be issued requesting proposals for a new memorial design.
Facade and Sign Improvement Program The deadline for submitting an
application to the program is Monday, April 13. In the past it has been challenging to get
grant recipients to implement their design as they proposed it. The City has dedicated
$25,000 to the program.
Development Scorecard
The project located at 48 Dunham Road received a building permit for the foundation.
Plans for the merger of Montserrat College of Art and Salem State University(SSU) are in
process. Much due diligence remains. At this time the proposal calls for Montserrat
College of Art to remain in its current location. SSU would move approximately 100
students into the program. Classes would be made available to all SSU students, not just
students in the fine arts program. The prospect of a merger is attractive to SSU because
they need additional space and Montserrat would provide programming not currently
available to SSU students.
Potential ECDC Work Items to Strategically Support Beverly's Economic Vitality.
Discussion of this matter was postponed to the next meeting of the ECDC due to time
constraints.
Other
• A member of the ECDC, Neiland Douglas, asked if the ECDC should adopt
priorities. It was his understanding that the primary function of the ECDC was to
identify economic development priorities. Since the matter is related to the
agenda item regarding potential ECDC work items to strategically support
Beverly's economic vitality the issue was tabled and will be taken up at the next
meeting of the ECDC.
It was mentioned that the ECDC could identify priorities but also on an on -going
basis make the Mayor aware of issues as they arise.
• An ECDC member, Bill Howard, mentioned that he had heard complaints that the
lighting in the municipal parking lot located behind the Dollar Store is inadequate.
Another member, Michael Collins, suggested that the lighting may be adequate
but require redirection. There are also plans for the City to remove existing
meters, install a parking kiosk and apply a skim coat of pavement to the lot. The
work may take place this summer.
Minutes and Adjourn
Minutes from the September and November, 2014 meetings of the ECDC were approved
and there was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and the meeting was
adjourned.