08-25-16 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
DATE: August 25, 2016
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chair, Marilyn McCrory — Vice Chair,
Christy Edwards, Robert Buchsbaum, and Heather
Richter
MEMBERS ABSENT: Thomas Bussone, James Matz, Jon Paddol
OTHERS PRESENT: Aaron Clausen, Director of Planning and Community
Development, Sue Goganian, Director of Historical
Society, Beverly resident Leslie Houghton
RECORDER: Travis Lovett
Consultation /Questions and Answer Session with the Community Preservation Committee
(CPC)
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm. No members of the public were present during the
scheduled question and answer session that was open to the public.
Continue Review and Evaluation of 3 "d Round 2016 CPA Project Funding Applications
Beverly Historical Society - Rehabilitate historical landscape and create historically
sensitive master plan for property
Pearl asked Sue Goganian, Director of the Beverly Historical Society, to talk about updates
related to the Hale House landscape restoration project. Goganian said that Danvers Bank
provided funding for an educator to develop an interpretative plan for the site. Beverly
Historical Society wanted to know what historic materials were used for the property, how the
land was used, and how to effectively use the house to tell a story. The property has a 300 year
history and Goganian wants to think about how the property can be represented to tell major
stories through the landscape. She said the $180,000 in funding will be turned into trees, plants,
pathways, signs, and other property renovations. Pearl asked how Goganian can ensure that
there is public access to the property. Goganian explains that ' /z of the year yard has easements
already in place for beech tree access. Pearl also asked about property use restrictions and
Goganian responded that the property cannot be built upon. Restrictions will clearly outline
what can and cannot be done. Goganian said she is working to establish an endowment for Hale
House and they need to raise a minimum of $650,000 to make necessary property renovations.
Goganian said there are two planned gifts that will support most of the endowment but the
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Beverly Historical Society intends to raise the full amount. There have been conversations with
the Ward 2 Civic Association about managing property upkeep. Goganian said a formal
maintenance plan will be formalized with the association once the project is underway. She said
the property is an enormous asset to Ward 2.
Much of the work being proposed focuses on restoring the beech trees and completing exterior
aesthetic work on the property. Goganian said one of the main features is called "the long walk"
where there is a walkway lined with trees down to the beach. The current plan calls for $115,000
in tree planting and landscaping costs. Goganian said right now it looks like contractors are just
fixing up an old house, but the project will be historically accurate. For example, she said the
house needs to be painted a mustard yellow color, not a sunshine yellow.
Goganian is exploring fundraising opportunities for the property. Pearl suggested a garden party
fundraiser. Goganian liked the idea as a way of showcasing a great story. Edwards said she
thought this seemed like an amazing project, but she wanted more details and a cost breakdown
of how the $180,000 request would be used. Buchsbaum said he would be in favor of funding
half of the tree and plant costs if the committee decided there were cuts that needed to be made.
Pearl said she was impressed that the Beverly Historical Society raised $42,128 on their own.
Pearl said she wants to make sure that public access is in place so that the community can enjoy
a free experience downtown.
Clausen said he would recommend that the project stay on the table until the next meeting on
September 15t''. He will ask Amy Maxner, the city's Environmental Planner, to reach out to the
Beverly Historical Society to seek documentation for the $115,000 line item for tree planting and
landscaping costs. Buchsbaum said he had concerns about approving this cost without knowing
how many trees or what types of trees will be planted. Pearl said that Beverly Historical Society
may be able to have some trees or landscaping materials donated to the site.
Pearl notes the CPC will aim for all Round 3 projects recommendations to be reviewed by the
Beverly City Council on September 29t''. She suggested that the grant agreement would ask for a
plan and timeline before construction begins. At that point, there may be other deliberations, she
said. CPC will plan to vote on the Hale House project at the September 15t' meeting.
Beverly Recreation Department — Cahill Park — Replace tennis court and fencing
Pearl noted that the playground structure installation at Vittori Park was ranked by committee
members as a higher ranked priority project for CPC support. McCrory said she scored this
application lower than other projects because she has some concerns about the capacity of the
Beverly Recreation Department to support this project considering that other CPA funded
recreation projects have yet to be undertaken. McCrory said while there was no doubt that the
tennis courts need to be repaired, she wants to see an improved application and know what the
Beverly Recreation Department's priorities are. She said that the CPC is already funding a few
other Beverly Recreation Department projects.
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McCrory motions to not fund the Cahill Park tennis court project. Richter seconds the motion.
The motion carries 5 -0.
Edenic Development Inc. — The Garden School — Perform architectural survey of manor at
Camp Mitchman
Pearl said Edenic Development Inc.'s application is similar to past proposals that the committee
received for Hastings House and GAR Hall. Edenic Development is applying for $25,000 in
funding to do an architectural analysis of the main lodge at Camp Mitchman. In the analysis,
they hope to identify historic features and how they should be preserved. Pearl said they were
hoping to bring life back into the building again, but noted that the plan doesn't protect the
building physically. Edwards said that Edenic Development made a request for full- funding
without providing any type of funding match
Pearl said the study would be a good first start and give the committee information about how
the CPA would fund preservation work and rehabilitation to meet specific standards. Richter
said she has concerns about what the public benefit would be from this project.
Edwards said she understands the project and that the funding would help to get the project
started. Buchsbaum said Edenic Development should come back with a plan in another year that
offers a community benefit, such as a community garden. Clausen said the planning and
community development staff have struggled to understand Edenic Development's vision. He
said he hopes to walk through the site later this month.
Beverly resident Leslie Houghton said there was no option in the plan for a community garden
and that Edenic Development was going to offer classes that were fee based. She also had
concerns about religious work being done with project funds and said she does not feel like her
tax dollars should go toward funding a project like this. Buchsbaun said this was not being
promoted as a religious project in the paperwork that the Committee received. Houghton said
she didn't have to do much digging to find the group's religious work and encouraged residents
to visit Edenic Development's Web site. Pearl said the property was determined by the Historic
District Commission to be significant, regardless of the religious affiliation.
Clausen noted that churches are exempt from land use regulation. Edwards said this project falls
under the category of rehabilitation. McCrory said the intent of the property is to be a garden
school and that she can't make a judgment of whether or not the project is eligible based on the
group's religious work. She said she was most concerned about public benefit. Pearl asked the
committee if for - profit businesses would be eligible for committee funds. Clausen answered yes
that funds can be used for preservation. Pearl said she was not inclined to fund the project
because there were too many questions for the property owner.
Edwards motions to not fund the application during this round. Richter seconds the motion. The
motion carries 5 -0.
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Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission — Develop design for 2 nd floor heating system and hot
water for bathrooms and kitchen
McCrory said a heating system should not qualify for historic preservation funds. She also noted
that Beverly Golf and Tennis Commission has been award $199,000 in funds from the
Community Preservation Committee. Edwards said the application did not make a strong case
for historic preservation funds and that the language made this seem like a maintenance project.
Edwards motions to not fund this application. McCrory seconds the motion. The motion carries
5 -0.
Greater Beverly YMCA — Create outdoor fitness trail and install exercise station
Pearl notes that the CPC asked for a sketch plan at the last meeting and has received no new
information, noting that the CPC could further table its decision on this or continue with
deliberations. Edwards said the YMCA outdoor fitness trail and exercise station seems like it is
part of a larger master project. She said that it seems like the project can wait, especially since
the committee does not currently have input from the YMCA neighbors or a clear sense of what
the project needs. Pearl said they can keep the plan open, but at some point the round of funding
will close. She recommended setting a deadline for the YMCA to provide an update.
Clausen said there is a lot of planning that needs to happen related to this project and he thought
it would be a good idea to have the YMCA apply for funding next year once the project plans are
further developed. Buchsbaum said that Judith Cronin, Executive Director of the YMCA, did
not seem like she was in a hurry to push the project forward. Pearl said that she would encourage
the YMCA to be more specific and apply for funding in Round 4.
McCrory motions to not fund the YMCA fitness trail in this round of grant reviews. Buchsbaum
seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -0.
Administrative Business /Other Business
Updates from Staff and Chair
Richter asked if there was any update from the Parks and Recreation Commission about Henry
Pizzo's departure from the committee. Pearl said Pizzo's term expired July 31, 2016. She said if
the commission does not appoint someone to fill the vacancy by October 31s that the
Community Preservation Committee should request that the City Council appoint someone.
Approval of Minutes
Member review the draft minutes of August 11, 2016 and offer amendments. McCrory motions
to approve the minutes as amended. Richter seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -0.
Upcoming CPC Meeting Schedule
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The next Community Preservation Committee meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2016 at
7:00pm in the 3 d floor conference room of Beverly City Hall.
Adjournment
Buchsbaum motions to adjourn the meeting. Edwards seconds the motion. The motion carries
5 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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