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07-13-17 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 13, 2017 LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chair, Marilyn McCrory — Vice - Chair, James Matz, Christy Edwards, Heather Richter, Nancy Marino MEMBERS ABSENT: Thomas Bussone II, Robert Buchsbaum OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner — Environmental Planner; Peter Johnson — Hastings House Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Hastings House Peter Johnson, with the Hastings House Board, addressed the Committee relative to the Round l Architectural Study undertaken on the Hastings House. He noted that they plan to comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for historic renovations. Johnson met with the Historic District Commission to ensure the project met qualifications. He notes that the HDC has submitted its letter of review. Johnson is seeking next steps for the project as there are three phases for funding the renovations. He reviews work proposed as part of programming. Pearl cautions Johnson that not all of the work described would be eligible for CPA money. He notes there are four additions to the house and that future applications would distinguish what parts pertain to historic preservation. Johnson explains they have spent $34,000 toward the original budget of $24,000 and they have received $10,000 in contributions from individuals. The remaining funds have come out of Hastings House account reserves. Johnson said they are awaiting $16,000 in reimbursements from the CPC. Pearl said the Hastings House report inside cover should acknowledge CPC funds. Maxner said press releases or brochures should also include acknowledgement of CPC funds. Edwards motions to approve the final plan and request to reimburse Hastings House in the amount of $16,000 share of the final plan. McCrory seconds the motion. The motion carries 6- 0. Hale House Exterior Restoration, CPC Proiect #R2 -2 Maxner reports that Beverly Historical Society has asked for an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Round 2 Exterior Restoration project until September 30, 2017, but she thinks the extension should be until December to allow enough time for the preservation Community Preservation Committee July 13, 2017 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 restriction to be finalized and executed. Pearl agrees, especially since the Council is on summer break and September is really not that far away. Maxner notes that the Beverly Historical District Commission will be holding the preservation restriction for Hale House and it reviewed the draft PR at their last meeting in June. McCrory motions to extend the MOU until December 31, 2017. Richter seconds the motion. The motion carries 6 -0. Election of Officers Pearl said she would like others to take leadership of the committee at some point. McCrory is willing to serve as Vice Chair for another term and Matz said he would be willing to serve as Vice Chair perhaps in the future. Pearl nominates McCrory to serve as Vice Chair of the CPC. Matz seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -0 with McCrory abstaining from voting. McCrory nominates Pearl to serve as Chair of the CPC. The motion carries 5 -0 with Pearl abstaining from voting. Approval of Minutes Matz motions to approve the May 11, 2017 meeting minutes as amended. Edwards seconds the motion. The motion carries 6 -0. Matz motions to approve the May 18, 2017 meeting minutes as amended. Richter seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -0 with Edwards abstaining from voting. Matz motions to approve the June 15, 2017 meeting minutes as amended. Richter seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -0 with Matz abstaining from voting. William Livermore House Pearl turns attention to the Livermore House application for further consideration. Maxner reports that the Beverly Historic Society has expressed possible willingness to hold the PR for this property, but there are logistics to be addressed first. Pearl notes that the Haight's expressed interest in placing a permanent exterior deed restriction on the property, with Mr. Haight noting at a previous meeting that the windows are a real priority for them. Pearl said the CPC could fund privately owned projects, but there's the question of whether the CPC should set a precedent in funding a privately owned residential project. Discussion ensues as to establishing policy and guidelines for similar projects, setting a maximum award amount, finding entities to holding restrictions, the long term costs, staff time and resources needed for monitoring, and the public benefit (both received and perceived) of placing preservation restrictions on properties that would involve expenditure of public funds. Community Preservation Committee July 13, 2017 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 McCrory said the Livermore House project doesn't fit priorities of the CPA Plan, it received a low score and is weak in meeting the Project Evaluation Criteria and makes a motion against funding the project in the current grant cycle. Matz seconds the motion. Further discussion ensues as to potential future applications for private residences and how the CPC can formulate a process and policy for these types of projects. The motion is tied 3 -3. With Pearl, Richter, and Edwards voted against the motion. Marino, Matz, and McCrory voted in favor of the motion to deny funding. Members agree to place this on the next agenda in case further discussion is deemed warranted. McCrory said outlining a policy will be another to -do item. Members confirm that they are interested in funding private properties as long as there is a tightly controlled process. Pearl said that establishing policy and process will take some time and nothing could be in place by the time the 5t' Round comes about. Maxner notes that a conversation with the HDC, Planning Department and City Solicitor is perhaps in order for this topic. Round 4 Project Recommendations to City Council Discussion ensues as to remaining projects to be reviewed and whether previously approved Round 4 projects should move forward to the City Council. Members agree to submit approved projects to Council for tis September meeting and continue deliberation on the Habitat for Humanity and Carriage House Wall /Window projects (and perhaps the Livermore House) to the next meeting. Other Business Carriage House & GAR Hall General Update Maxner reports that the Carriage House renovations at Lynch Park are currently earmarked with a $50,000 budget line item in the State budget. Funding for GAR Hall did not make it into the final State budget. Suzanne LaMont asked for funding appropriation for the GAR Hall project as soon as possible. The City Council schedule would only allow for discussion at the very end of July at the earliest. Maxner said she would submit the funding recommendation for GAR Hall separate from other projects. Maxner said she could also prepare recommendation packages of all things that have been agreed upon. Housing Trust Update Community Preservation Committee July 13, 2017 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Maxner said the Beverly Housing Trust is working on its mission statement, policy, criteria and procedures and she will be attending the next Trust meeting. Richter said funding applications from various non - profit housing organizations shouldn't be ruled out by the CPC and she would encourage Committee members to not shift all housing funds into the Trust. Pearl said she believes that CPC can support community housing groups like Habitat for Humanity for a non- specific project. Project Tracking Pearl said it would be helpful to have a summary report of the first five years of CPA projects that were funded. Pearl said the report should include a stat sheet in each category, and information about funding requests along with funding allotments. She hoped that the report would be published on the City's Web site. Edwards said a report could be shared at a public meeting in the fall with the City Council. Ellis Square Edwards said she couldn't find a brick or a block highlighting CPA funding for the Ellis Square renovations. Pearl said if there are brick and mortar projects there should be some kind of signage. Placards can be produced with administrative funds. Maxner will check in with Aaron Clausen and Gin Wallace on the Ellis Square signage. Meeting Adjournment and Next Meeting McCrory motions to adjourn the meeting. Matz seconds the motion. The meeting adjourns at 8:51pm. The motion carries 6 -0. Members agree to skip the August meeting and schedule the next CPC meeting on September 14, 2017 at 7:00pm. Community Preservation Committee July 13, 2017 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4