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ECDC Minutes 12-10-15CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS: Economic and Community Development Council Not applicable. Thursday, December 10, 2015 Beverly City Hall, Conference Room B Michael Cahill; Aaron Clausen; Denise Deschamps; Neiland Douglas; Walt Kosmowski; Maureeen Hobin; William Howard; Richard Marino; Michael O'Brien. Michael Collins; Paul Guanci. None. Aaron Clausen called the meeting to order. CEA Group project- Massachusetts DOT has denied CEA Group's request for access from the proposed North Shore Shopping Plaza onto the connector road [the connector is an extension of the state highway so it is under the jurisdiction of the state]. As a result, the site plan for the project must return to the City's Planning Board for review. The Planning Board will take up the matter on December 15, 2015. Most likely at least two meetings will be required in order to allow adequate opportunity for public input. Neiland Douglas would like to see the draft of the revised plan. The City did engage a peer reviewer who has analyzed the traffic now and determined that a level of service rating "A" applies to the roundabouts. At peak period there was only stacking of 2 cars. The Planning Board will not revisit other elements of the site plan such as drainage, parking, position of buildings. It would only review egress. If the Planning Board votes "no" then the project as previously defined would be terminated. The owner would be unable to do the commercial piece so Whole Foods would not happen. Douglas asked the ECDC members if they were interested in submitting a letter to the Planning Board to express their perspective on the issue. Clausen suggested that he could provide the ECDC with the peer reviewers analysis for their review to inform their decision as to whether or not they will submit a letter to the Planning Board. The members of the ECDC agreed that they would like to review the analysis prior to making a decision as to the submission of a letter to the Planning Board Senior housing development at Cummings Center -Aaron Clausen reviewed recent action related to the development. The issue came before the City's Parking and Traffic (P &T) Commission in October and November of 2015. The P &T has submitted a recommendation to the Planning Board that Cummings must mitigate the traffic congestion at the intersection of Balch and McKay Streets given the level of service rating of "F" and a majority of traffic on Balch Street is generated by Cummings Center. Cumming's current plan for the development is an age 55+ community in which 12% of the units would be set aside for residents earning area median income. Former site of Friendly's on Rantoul Street- Windover Development is before the City's Conservation Commission which will review the delineated wetland areas. There has not been any discussion or formal application submitted to the Planning Board for what might be proposed at the site. ECDC Meeting Minutes 1211012015 Meeting Page I of 4 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Krohne project -The City Council's response to the project proposal was very favorable. The next step is for project to be reviewed by the Commonwealth's EACC (Economic Assistance Coordinating Council). No issues are anticipated. Meanwhile the City has received preliminary plans for the project. Site plan review is the next step. Krohne needs to be in its new facilities by March of 2017. Within the next 5 — 10 Krohne expects to expand further on the site. Former Ventron site- Windover Construction has site control. There is an application before Planning Board to amend the originally approved site plan. The amendment would reduce the number of proposed units from 72 to 62. There would be no underground parking. The public hearing will be on January 20, 2016. 131 Rantoul Street -The Planning Board's approval of a special permit was challenged by neighbors of the project who filed an appeal with the Superior Court. The matter has been settled and the project will proceed. Dunham Road/Cummings project- Neiland Douglas asked if Cumming's plans to create ground leases caused the project to be treated as a subdivision because the leasees will want several means of egress, and to be granted certain rights. Mayor Cahill stated that there are currently two means of egress on the property, as there is apparently a right of way across Dunham Castle property. Clausen states that any new project not already approved by the Planning Board will likely need to seek Site Plan Review at a minimum. Douglas mentioned that there is a lot of activity on Bomac Road. Ernie Santin bought the former Crane Engineering building. The former Appleseed's building has been sold. There was interest in the building that houses the Roller Palace as a possible physical rehabilitation facility. Given all of the activity in the area it is important to focus on the second phase [Exit 19Brimbal Avenue improvement project] of access improvements. How will its cost be underwritten? There needs to be a renewed appeal. Mayor Cahill stated that this topic has been broached with Cummings. A question as to whether we can really get buy -in from other property owners in the Sohier /Tozer Road area. Douglas expressed confidence it is possible to get buy -in from other property owners. Douglas suggested that a major incentive would be the alleviation of traffic in the area. Although this argument may not be as compelling for businesses located on the Dunham Road side of Route 128. Mayor Cahill asked the members if the city should try to capture all of the businesses in the Tozer /Sohier/Dunham road area if it pursues a DIF [District Improvement Financing program that encourages a public /private partnership] or I- CUBED. Neiland Douglas said "yes." Douglas mentioned that the new company at 4 Bomac Road will add 50 jobs. He also noted that a significant contribution from Cummings could advance the second phase. Clausen notes that if other owners participated in a DIF it would be more likely that Cummings would participate. ECDC Meeting Minutes 1211012015 Meeting Page 2 of 4 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES The Mayor noted that the City would meet with other property owners in the area to assess their interest in participating in a DIF. The Commonwealth is still looking at resources that may be available to support the project. One Water Street- The City has received a response to its RFP. It was submitted by the owners of Flat Bread Pizza. The Mayor understood that these restaurants have a more upscale feel to them while offering a family friendly environment. They also emphasize farm to table offerings and could thrive on the waterfront. They are experienced restaurateurs. Clausen notes that their Amesbury location is very busy, and pointed out that the proposal references their Portland ME location as the model for their proposal. Walt Kosmowski asked if the response to the RFP had adhered to all the provisions set forth in the RFP. The Mayor stated that an evaluation committee will review the proposal. Michael Marino asked how the owners of Port Marina (Kinzie) would react. The Mayor stated that Port Marina has not submitted a proposal. It appears that the owners of Port Marina are focusing on their own property. Douglas notes that the Kinzie' s would like more boat slips. The Mayor responded that the City would also like more boat slips and planned to take a run at having the federal channel moved. It is incredibly wide which was needed 50+ years ago but this need no longer exists. Economic Summit- Secretary Ash of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development approached the City of Beverly with a proposal to host an economic summit. Secretary Ash is focusing attention on 2 -4 smaller cities. There are approximately 17 gateway communities [in the Commonwealth] and there is concern about what happens to smaller cities like Beverly. The State is sensitive to leaving us aside. The summit would take place in late April /early May. The primary objective of the summit is to market Beverly to developers and other real estate professionals. It would be 3 -4 hours long, likely to begin in the morning. Two hundred attendees would be expected. The only other city to hold such a summit is Revere. It would likely take place at The Cabot. The City will seek to brand downtown, the waterfront, Cherry Hill and promote development opportunities and priorities. Douglas notes that the City would need to develop creative presentations, highlight areas of investment opportunities, be specific about where exactly opportunities exist. Inventory of parcels should be provided by the City. Clausen responded that there would not be typical panel discussions. Instead the City is considering other ways to communicate the City's message such as staging brief videos highlighting key themes /topics. Kosmowski asked how developers would be identified. Clausen responded that Secretary Ash's office would likely assist. In addition, the event would be broadly advertised and the City would also reach out via email, phone, etc. In addition to developers other groups who would be invited include realtors, banks, existing businesses. The City is also considering organizing a ECDC Meeting Minutes 121101201 S Meeting Page 3 of 4 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES group of ambassadors. Clausen notes that it is important to highlight existing robust business clusters like life sciences, clean tech, the creative economy. Douglas recommended that the City not get too focused on encouraging one type of business to locate in Beverly. There are a lot of opportunities to develop. Bass River Zoning- The City will start the public process in January of 2016. Aaron hopes to file an amendment to the zoning ordinance by March, 2016. MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Commission) did a study in 2012/13 and proposed rezoning to allow for transit - oriented development. Park Street may not be impacted by the rezoning. The Mayor asked what members of the ECDC thought about Park Street and its profile as a center for manufacturing Douglas noted that historically businesses chose to locate on Park Street because it was affordable and there were not a lot of restrictions. Michael O'Brien asked if it was an area that was of value to the City as it currently exists. Douglas responded that we have to weigh it. Mayor notes that it is home to a lot of trades we rely upon. Michael O'Brien notes that the business owners located on Park Street may get nervous if residential development gets closer. Mayor responded that it is advantageous to have residential development near the train and it will have a view of the water. Mayor asked if there is another location within the city where industry /manufacturing can be located, perhaps Otis Road? Clausen suggested that Phase 2 of the Exit 19Brimbal Avenue Project may unlock opportunities. Some manufacturing does derive support from downtown location. However, some could go to Otis Road or Cherry Hill. The Mayor noted that it does not have to be viewed as inconsistent. Park Street could remain the same while residential is built along the river. Michael Marino stated that the industrial adds to the flavor of the neighborhood. Urban Agenda Grant Application- Clausen stated that the application will be submitted this evening. There are multiple partners including the City of Beverly, Beverly Main Streets, Montserrat College of Art, North Shore Music Theatre, The Cabot, Chamber. The proposal celebrates area artists and will encourage thousands of people to visit Beverly. The economic impact is important and it will cement Beverly's reputation as a cultural center North of Boston. There is a proposed "pre- festival" in 2016 which is smaller is scope. The actual festival would be scheduled for 2017. It is based on the "fringe" festival concept originated in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fringe festivals generally showcase a broad spectrum of performers. The grant application is requesting $300,000. Will reach out to businesses through other organizations such as Chamber to ask them to stay open later, promote the festival, etc. Douglas suggested the City reach out to churches that might be potential venues for events. Clausen is looking forward to more input from the ECDC regarding the summit. The meeting adjourned. ECDC Meeting Minutes 121101201 S Meeting Page 4 of 4