BHDC Minutes December 16 2015 - ApprovedBeverly Historic Commission
Draft Minutes — December 16, 2015
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Historic District Commission
Date: December 16, 2015
Location: Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA.
Members Present William Finch, Chair, Martin Lian, Suzanne LaMont and Wendy
Pearl
Members Absent: James Younger
Others Present: Allison Crosbie, Staff Planner
Recorder: Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Beverly Community Preservation Plan
Pearl addresses the Commission and reviews a draft of the Historic Preservation portion of the
Beverly Community Preservation plan. She explains that the final plan will be presented at a
public hearing for community input.
LaMont asks if the goals of the plan will be prioritized. Finch suggests that a sentence be added
to the plan indicating that the goals listed are in no particular order. Pearl agreed noting that
some projects could meet more than one priority of the plan.
Finch notes that in the absence of a project, the goals would be helpful information. LaMont
agrees noting that there have been discussions about repurposing GAR Hall as performance
space.
The Commission reviewed the priorities of the plan.
Finch suggests that the priorities should include preservation, and or restoration or rehabilitation
in a historically sensitive manner. He notes that rehabilitation is important as well as adaptive
reuse.
Finch also notes that intent of items and terms should be sensitive to the historic features of the
building.
Lian agrees and notes that rehab should be second to restoration of a site.
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Beverly Historic Commission
Draft Minutes — December 16, 2015
Finch agrees that whatever is being done, whether rehab or a new adaptive use, it should
preserve and enhance the historic character of the building.
Finch states that he would like to see the City go through proper planning regarding the reuse of
abandoned school buildings, noting the construction of the new middle school and the proposed
plans for the McKay School.
Pearl suggests that preservation of landscapes should be a priority as well, noting the streetscape
on Broadway should be considered historic preservation.
Pearl states that any property that is inventoried should have to come before the Commission for
review.
Crosbie reports that the consultants have submitted a revised preliminary survey list for review
by the Commission and they will submit a final recommendation at the end of Phase 2 in January
2016.
Finch reports that he looked at the inventory and suggests that there should be a historic
landscape review. He notes that he looked at remnants of historic landscapes that should be
included in the inventory.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the August 26, 2015 Historic Commission meeting were presented for approval.
LaMont: Motion to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2015 Historic Commission
meeting as amended. Lian seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0).
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening,
LaMont moved to adjourn the meeting. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries (4-0).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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