02-16-17 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: February 16, 2017
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chair, Marilyn McCrory — Vice - Chair,
Nancy Marino, James Matz, Heather Richter, Robert
Buchsbaum, and Christy Edwards
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jon Paddol and Thomas Bussone II
OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner — Environmental Planner, Darlene Wynne —
Assistant Planning Director, Kimberley Ballard — Director
of Development, Cabot Theatre, Casey Soward - Executive
Director at Cabot Theatre, William & Patricia Haight —
owners of the William Livermore House
RECORDER:
Travis Lovett
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
The Cabot Performing Arts Center — Application Consultation
Pearl said the Committee reviewed the Cabot HVAC project and determined that it was eligible.
Pearl wanted the Cabot staff to know that the Committee would request preservation restrictions
for brick and mortar projects for the life of the investments, noting that is the best way to protect
the community's investment. The restriction is a covenant on the property, Pearl said.
Soward said a 20 year preservation restriction for the Cabot Theatre project isn't a deal breaker
at the moment. He wants to take some time to think about the restriction. Pearl said they
wouldn't know what the term of the restriction would be and that the standards would be
established by the Secretary of the Interior Standards for historic rehabilitation. If an
organization asks for funds to acquire a property, Pearl said the restriction would have to be in
perpetuity.
McCrory encouraged the applicants to review the criteria and include letters of support for the
project highlighting the community benefit of the project. Preservation work is about preserving
the property and preserving the community, Pearl said.
Soward said they would want to know the number of years that the HVAC would be restricted.
The Secretary of the Interior Standards are on the Beverly Web site, Pearl said. Soward said a
non - working HVAC is really difficult to work through. Soward said selling tickets is important
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to keep the theatre open. Pearl said to talk to Thad Siemasko (an architect and member of the
Cabot Theatre board) to get advice on elaborating how a failed HVAC system impacts the ability
to preserve the property. Maxner said the estimated project cost is $1.2 million and that it would
help to see further documentation and estimates of the needs of the total scope of the project.
Edwards arrives at 7: 1Opm.
Maxner will include preservation restriction information on the City of Beverly website.
William Livermore House - William and Patricia Haight — Application Consultation
Pearl said she looked to see if there was a precedent for funding private residences on the CPA
Coalition website and found several examples. Pearl welcomes Mr. & Mrs. Haight and asks
them to provide an overview of the project. William Haight said the house has a split cedar
shakes roof with two layers of asphalt underneath and the current roof has been in place for
about 25 years. He notes the price runs anywhere from $18,000 to $25,000. He explains there is
an addition on the back of the house which has a metal roof. Haight notes there are nine
protective interior and exterior storm windows on the house and he would have a restoration
company in Ipswich restore the windows for about $10,000. He estimates that each replacement
window will cost about $800, with 11 windows in total that would need to be restored and four
windows that would need to be completely replaced. Pearl explains that replacement windows
would not be eligible for CPA funds, but restoration of the historic windows would be.
Pearl notes that the CPC would likely require some form of preservation restriction to protect the
public investment. Haight said he would prefer to grant an easement to protect the front facade
of the house. Pearl explains that the CPC would look to fund the difference between a
conventional roof and a cedar shake roof, as roofs are expected maintenance costs, but it is
recognized that the historic treatment would increase the cost of the project.
McCrory advises the applicant would need to demonstrate the public benefit of this project in the
full proposal submission, with attention paid to the CPC's criteria and the DOR's allowable uses
chart. Haight said they offer tours of the house twice a year through the Beverly Historical
Society. Edwards said she would like for Haight to note the difference of the cost of a
conventional roof versus a historic roof in the application. Highlighting the change in costs
would be helpful for the Committee, Edwards said. The Committee encourages the Haight's to
continue to consult with the CPC or Maxner as they prepare their application. Haight asks is
there are examples of preservation restrictions. Pearl notes that Maxner can provide at least a
couple of example documents for their reference. Maxner will email examples to the applicant.
Administrative Business
Beverly Historical Society — Late Round 4 Pre - Application Submission
Maxner said the Beverly Historical Society was a week late in submitting a Round 4 pre -
application, but that Pearl asked that it be placed on the agenda for the Committee as a whole to
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discuss. Pearl would only consider this proposal it if the Committee opened the application
process back up again for another two weeks or so. Matz said it's unfortunate that the
application was received after the deadline but he is not inclined to open the process back up for
one applicant. Pearl said Beverly Historical Society would complete their project in a timely
manner, but noted that the project description focused a lot on signage which is not eligible.
Maxner said there wasn't a final plan included in the Round 4 application, which is what the
committee funded in a previous round. Members agree not to accept this late application and
note that from this point forward late applications will not be considered and staff can directly
communicate that to the applicants.
Buchsbaum motions to not consider the Hale House pre - application, due to late submission.
Edwards seconds the motion. The motion carries 7 -0.
Housing Plan Memorandum of Understanding Request for Extension c/o Planning
Department
Pearl confirms that members have read the extension request. Maxner said the City Council
approved the City Housing Trust and it is now in place. She notes Mayor Cahill now needs to
appoint four members to the Trust Board with the Mayor serving as the fifth member. The four
members are approved by the City Council.
McCrory motions to extend the memorandum of understanding to September 1, 2017 for the
Beverly Housing Plan. Richter seconds the motion. The motion carries 6 -0 (Edwards not in
attendance for the vote).
Updates from Staff /Chair
Maxner is asking for reimbursement of $14.13 in administrative funds for cost of mailing the
pre - applications to CPC members. Marino motions to approve this expense. Edwards seconds
the motion. The motion carries 7 -0.
Maxner updates on the status of the 3r Round memorandums of understanding /grant agreements
(MOU/GA), with the following having been executed:
• Beverly City Clerk's office (historic records)
• Historic District Commission (historic survey)
• Beverly Emergency Management (Nike Missile Site)
• Beverly Harbor Management (Congress beach access)
The following MOD's /GA's are currently in circulation for sign off:
• Beverly Historical Society (Hale Farm landscape rehab)
• Beverly Powder House
• Vittori Park
• Oak Heights Park
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Maxner said the MOU is on hold for Pete's Park as the City was not awarded a PARC grant from
the State, and upon City Solicitor direction the MOU is on hold. Edwards provides background
on the grant and its criteria, which the project apparently did not meet. She noted that the City
was encouraged to apply for LAND grant funds as an alternative. Pearl notes that the project
would cost $400,000, with Matz recalling the CPC provided $150,000. Discussion ensues as to
the CPC providing a support letter for the LAND grant application. Maxner agrees to draft a
support letter confirming the CPC's commitment to fund. Maxner will communicate with Bruce
Doig and Priscilla Walsh on this.
Approval of Minutes
Members review the minutes and offer edits.
Matz motions to approve the January 26, 2017 minutes as amended. McCrory seconds the
motion. The motion carries 6 -0 with Richter abstaining from voting a she did not attend that
meeting.
CPA Plan — Status of Draft
Maxner said she put all of the edits into the plan from the last time the CPC reviewed it and she
will work with Aaron Clausen to update the Housing section. She notes her secretary gathered
sticky notes from the word board feedback and she will compile and place this in the appendix.
McCrory asked to see revised text as a next step. Marino said she provided recreation
information. Pearl said she would like to bring the CPA Plan to the Historic District
Commission. Matz said the Planning Board would like to see the final plan. Pearl asks if the
plan could be completed by May or June. Maxner said the presentation should go before the
Beverly City Council. Pearl said she would share the draft via email with the Historic District
Commission. Matz said the committees represented on the CPC should be provided a copy for
review as a courtesy as part of the public comment process. McCrory said the plan should be
announced by a press release. Maxner notes she can have an updated draft ready for the March
CPC meeting. Pearl encouraged members to send pictures of sites to Maxner to include the
document.
Other Business
Harbor Light House — Richter went to the opening. Maxner went to Beverly Golf and Tennis
and said the bathrooms looked gorgeous.
Pearl said historic preservation month could be used to showcase properties and projects funded
by CPA. McCrory suggested Beverly Homecoming. Voluntary or promoted by our group.
Maxner said the Ellis Square project will be done this spring. Maxner said Cove Community
Center and the Girdler House will be coming in to the next meeting for consultation.
Upcoming CPC Meeting Schedule and Adjournment
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The next CPC meeting will be held at Beverly City Hall on Thursday, March 16' at 7:00pm.
Buchsbaum makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Edwards seconds the motion. The motion
carries 7 -0. The meeting adjourns at 8:10pm.
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