Parking the Problem in Downtown Beverly Development Plan

The clerk for the Planning Board read several letters of support from City Council Chairman Paul Guanci, Beverly Main Streets co-president Miranda Goodling, the Health Department and the Traffic Advisory Committee for a proposed 13-unit apartment building and commercial space at 130 Cabot Street, Tuesday night.

Three neighbors, who once opposed the new mixed use, downtown project, announced that they had changed their minds after meeting with Jeff Holloran, the developer.

But Dana Acciavatti and four other neighbors were undeterred in their opposition. Acciavatti, who videotaped the Planning Board meeting, presented a petition he said had 255 signatures, including many business owners in the area, in opposition to the granting of a special permit for the project.

After almost two hours of debate on the issue, the Planning Board voted to continue the public hearing on Oct. 16. The board is being asked to grant a special permit because one van-accessible, handicapped parking space for the apartments is too close to the property line.

But seeking a special permit for the one parking space opens the door for the board to rule on a broad range of issues at the project.

The fight over the Holloran Companies project pits the proponents of downtown development, often led by city officials and , against residents and some companies who fear new development will disrupt their lives and businesses.

"The citizens of Beverly are sick of Beverly Main Streets favoring the developers at the expense of the neighborhoods," Acciavatti said. "I don't think this project benefits the neighborhood." 

"What do we want to be, New York City?" asked another neighbor.

The principal issue cited by the neighbors is the lack of parking near the project. 

"Parking is a real problem in the area," Acciavatti said.

The project proposes to have 14 parking spaces on the site, but under the zoning laws, it must have a total of 38 spaces available. The 13 residential units would need 25 parking spaces and the commercial/retail space would require another 13 spaces.

The proposal before the Planning Board is to allow the residents and their guests and the customers of the commercial space to use the paid parking spaces in the municipal lot.

"They would have to pump the meter every two hours just like anyone else," said Planning Board Chairman Richard Dinkin. 

City zoning law allows the use of a municipal lot that is within 500 feet of the project.

The opponents said adding more cars to the overcrowded lot would create hardships for neighbors and customers of nearby businesses. Acciavatti showed photos of the lot filled with cars.

Thomas Alexander, the attorney for the project, said after the meeting that the lot is usually empty and is only full when the nearby Union Club is having an event.

David Flynt, who owns and leases a building adjacent to the property, said he believes the new building would be a major improvement. The trash dumpsters on the property now, he said, produce an "unbelievable smell."

"In the summers, my tenants can't sit outside because of the stench," Flynt said.

The new building would house its trash dumpsters inside, Alexander said.