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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.