04-12-18 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: April 12, 2018
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl, Tom Bussone, Christy Edwards, Nancy
Marino, Heather Richter, James Matz, John Hall, Robert
Buchsbaum, Marilyn McCrory
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner - Environmental Planner; Chris Lovasco -
YMCA of the North Shore; Bill Lowd - Beverly Golf and
Tennis; David Dionne - Beverly Golf and Tennis; Robert
Dever - City of Beverly Engineering Department; David
Gelineau - City of Beverly Purchasing Director; Andrew
DeFranza - Harborlight Community Partners
RECORDER:
Travis Lovett
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Questions for YMCA - Cabot Housing - O &A
Chris Lovasco, CEO of the YMCA of the North Shore, addresses the CPC and notes the word
"Christian" hasn't been in the YMCA mission statement since he began working there in
1994. There is a national mission which does reflect Christian values, Lovasco said, but
there is no preference for any religion, creed, or race at YMCA of the North Shore. Lovasco
said a limited liability corporation (LLC) has been set up as a subsidiary to handle
operations of the housing project and that Cabot Housing LLC is a stand -alone organization.
The CPC thanks Lovasco for coming in this evening.
Beverly Golf and Tennis Commission - O&A
Lowd explains that the Beverly Golf and Tennis Clubhouse has seen a 10% increase in
business over the last three years after having installed an elevator in the clubhouse. Pearl
said CPA funds could be used to hire an on -site project manager (OPM), but assessment or
feasibility studies have to be restricted to community preservation related projects. Dever
said he believes all project costs will be eligible for CPC funds because the intended use of
the clubhouse is to serve as a function hall. Dever said the goal is to keep the property as
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historic as possible and that he believes the design process can't be broken down into
smaller phases. He said he doesn't know how else to keep the building alive. Dever said it
might take a month to hire an architect and the architectural drawings should be ready
within a year, Dever said. Pearl asked Dever to make these clarifications in writing.
There would be two separate request for proposal (RFP) processes: one to hire an OPM and
another to hire an architect. Dever said they need to improve air conditioning, electrical
services, ADA compliance, and the interior of the clubhouse. Funding would cover the
services of an OPM, the services of an architect, and a plan for the building. Dever said they
anticipate a $5.1 million total project cost. Edwards has serious concerns about where the
$5 million is coming from. Pearl sees the assessment as a valuable tool, no matter who is
managing the property. Edwards said her concerns stem from not seeing a lot of city
investment in the property to date. Gelineau said the city took out a $1.5 million
investment bond about 8 years ago. Maxner asked if the OPM will have a preservation
background or if the architect will have that background. Dever said the architect will have
that background. Pearl said the OPM should also have historic preservation experience as
well.
Round 5 Application Decisions
YMCA - Cabot Housing
Busonne asks the lease terms for residents. DeFranza notes that the YMCA will require a 12
month lease from tenants. Edwards said that she feels the religious issues have been
addressed. Pearl said it's the type of housing the city needs and it fits in the neighborhood.
Pearl's biggest question is how the Historic District Commission feels about the alterations
to the building. Hall and Marino want to see housing benefit Beverly residents in local
preference. DeFranza said having the preference for Beverly residents is specified on the
written form. DeFranza said the state law says there is a 70 percent local residency
preference, referring to the 3 -town Mayoral agreement between Salem, Peabody, and
Beverly. Matz said they at least owe reciprocity to the two communities that Beverly has
agreements with.
McCrory motions to fund the Cabot Housing, LLC affordable housing project in the amount
of $200,000 from the housing reserve and the general reserve. Bussone seconds the
motion. The motion carries 8 -0, with Matz abstaining from voting.
City Clerk Records
Bussone said they have gotten a lot of use out of the historic records. Hall has questions
about the conditions of the historic records and how much needs to be preserved. Pearl
would like to see a plan with every document assessed and prioritized. Bussone suggested
that after this round of funding, the CPC could ask that comprehensive plan be set in place,
and perhaps that undertaking could be funded by CPA.
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Bussone moves to fund the city clerk historic municipal document preservation in the
amount of $59,119 out of the historic preservation reserve. Marino seconds the motion.
The motion carries 8 -0, with Matz abstaining from voting.
CPC members agree they would like to see a document conservation plan for future funding
consideration. This plan will include criteria for document selection beyond meeting the
age criteria threshold.
Hale Farm Landscape Restoration Phase 2
Maxner notes that Sue Goganian forwarded a restoration plan to the CPC for review.
Buchsbaum said they should plant local flora and he has some concerns about bringing
non - native species to the property. Pearl notes that the budget listed grants of $22,000 for
the project. Pearl said there are Secretary of the Interior Standards for landscapes.
Edwards said the planting plan was part of the scope of the project in the narrative and
listed on the budget sheet. Pearl said that disbursement of funds would be contingent upon
receiving a plant list that shows a preference for native species. Matz reviews to confirm
that Round 5 funding would support construction of the terrace and south deck, tree
planting, additional site prep, developing a planting plan, shrub plantings, screen plantings,
and ADA walkway installation. Members review the project narrative and agree.
Edwards motions to fund the Hale Landscape Rehabilitation Project in the amount of
$146,300 from the historic preservation reserve with the remaining funds coming from the
general reserve as needed with the stipulation that the planting plan consider native
species wherever possible. Buchsbaum seconds the motion. The motion carries 8 -0, with
Matz abstaining of voting.
Beverly Golf and Tennis
Matz said he has fielded public complaints about the Clubhouse more than any other
programs that CPC funds. Pearl said the facility is definitely a preservation priority for the
City and the property could be a revenue generator, but she would like to see phases built
into the project. Edwards said the application that was presented did not address the issue
of where the $5 million estimated project cost will come from. Edwards said there was no
letter of support from Mayor Cahill and she said it is extremely difficult to invest in a set of
plans without a sense of the city's commitment. Bussone said this is the first step and that
if they want to preserve this property, they have to act or conditions will only get worse.
McCrory said the project seems worthwhile in theory, but the application is poorly written
and deficient in her opinion. Pearl said the applicant clarified the scope in tonight's
meeting. Pearl said the plan will be useful in a lot of ways and this could be promoted as a
way to get the public invested and the administration to do the work. Pearl said they need a
"Friends of Beverly Golf and Tennis" group. Marino said the perception of this facility is
that it is private not open to the public and she thinks the City needs to do a better job of
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community outreach. Bussone said historically they have not been able to have functions
due to the hall conditions and lack of ADA compliance, and at one point, the clubhouse was
a popular wedding venue. Pearl said they should have their next public hearing at the Golf
and Tennis Club, perhaps beginning with a tour of the facility.
Pearl said the CPC should decide on merits of doing the assessment and design. Richter
doesn't get the sense that the city is invested in this project.
Bussone motions to approve the Beverly Golf and Tennis Commission architectural
assessment in the amount of $400,000 from the general fund on the condition that the OPM
has a historic preservation background and that the assessment and design are for CPA
eligible activities. Hall seconds the motion. The motion carries 7 -2 with McCrory and
Edwards voting in opposition.
Administrative Business
The draft meeting minutes from March 15, 2018 are reviewed, members offer edits.
Bussone motions to approve the minutes as amended. Richter seconds the motion. The
motion carries 8 -0 with Matz abstaining from voting.
Next CPC Meeting Scheduling
Maxner notes that the Round 5 recommendations will be submitted to the City Council in
time for a public hearing at the Council's May 21St meeting at the latest. Members agree to
set aside May 17t as a tentative meeting date.
Adjournment
Bussone motions to adjourn the meeting. Edwards seconds the motion. The motion carries
9 -0. The meeting adjourns at 9:00 pm.
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