The future of Downtown: Medical Hub?

I have been trying to find out more information about the plan for a "Medical Hub" for Downtown Peabody that Councilor Bettencourt brought to the City Council several weeks back. I was not at that meeting and I do not have cable so I, like so very many Peabody residents, did not get the opportunity to see this plan as presented.

I do not like to critique plans I have never seem, nor would I wish to point out flaws that might have been addressed in some fashion during the presentation by Councilor Bettencourt. And so I asked (via facebook email) if he would share a copy of this powerpoint presentation either with me, or in some online venue, so that everyone might have the opportunity to see this much talked about plan for Peabody's future.

Sadly, but not unexpectedly, I received no response, nor did any such public presentation become available (to my knowledge - and I have been looking for it).

So I am going to give my response to this plan based entirely on the reports of the presentation made to the City Council which appeared in local media.

In general... bringing new businesses into the downtown area is a good idea for Peabody. We should be looking for a wide array of activities to populate our downtown.

We have some very old and decrepit industrial areas that are mostly underused and in some cases abandoned as this type of activity is not going to be done in places like Peabody for the foreseeable future (despite what many of the previous Ward 3 councilors have hoped and wished for... it ain't coming back.)

We have some areas that have been newly renovated - for better or worse - mostly in the southern area of downtown. We have a rather eclectic (bizarre?) mix of uses along the real Main St. area - some that seem to be serving limited populations (specialty toy train stores, fofo's, Brazillian fashions) while others are serving the community at large (drug stores, grocery stores, restaurants, services, etc.).

In general the more consumer oriented enterprises occur on Main Street and in the Square, while the more business oriented activities are on the Walnut Street side. This might have worked well in the days of bustling industry here in Peabody... but those days are gone, and good riddance to them in my opinion. It is time to stop looking to the PAST to try and find some hope for Peabody's future. But that is a rant for a different time and place.

So this brings us to the idea put forth by Councilor Bettencourt. My take on this is that he would like to see downtown become a 'medical hub' of businesses that are ancillary to the more comprehensive and brand new or newly renovated facilities that surround our area.

New facilities at Centennial Park and MGH North and mostly renovated facilities at Lahey Clinic, North Shore Medical Center and more. Councilor Bettencourt is correct that we have already become a medical hub of sorts for the North Shore region.

But lets examine why these places are where they are... and specifically NOT in downtown Peabody. All these new or renovated facilities are located where there is excellent access via the highway for patient, and business, convenience as well as tons of free parking . They are not locating in downtown Salem or Peabody precisely because access into and out of these areas is very difficult, if not impossible, at certain times of the day and space (thus parking) is at a premium.

So if I am a Doctor or an HMO and I am looking to locate my offices/out patient service centers... I am NOT looking to move into a decrepit, industry waste strewn, impossible to access, flood prone area in Peabody with little to no parking and no real connection to the facilities I am currently visiting (NSMC, MGH, Lahey, etc.) Why in the world would these types of higher end medical facilities look to move into downtown Peabody when much better locations adjacent to these main facilities already exists? They wouldn't.

So if the primary (hospitals) and the secondary (Doctor offices and HMO Centers - think MRI, CAT Scan, etc.) are not really going to be interested in Peabody as it is today... what medical uses might be of interest? Frankly, the only businesses that I can think of that would be interested in a location which is equidistant from these major hospitals is medical warehousing and medical reclamation (waste disposal). This seems like the most logical usage for the area if we are going to focus on 'medical hub' services.

And of course that would be a HORRIBLE IDEA for Peabody and the future of Downtown.

You know what... I actually LIKE people who are willing to think outside the box on issues. They often throw out outlandish ideas that may contain a little nugget of a great ideas at times! They also might be completely full of it! Councilor Bettencourt has made two of these VERY PUBLIC, very outlandish and very self promoting pronouncements in the recent past. I recall the idea that the Dearborn affordable housing funds be used to pay for low income folks energy bills as one of these ideas, and this is yet another.

Here is the RIGHT WAY to serve the People of Peabody when you get a GREAT IDEA but have no real clue if it is actually worth anything...

Step 1: Go to the City's Experts on these subjects
We are paying planners, engineers, assessors, lawyers, construction professionals, etc. to be part of the City's management team! Why would you a) work without consultation with these expert people and 2) in some cases work against their recommendations?

Step 2: Seek other inputs from outside City Hall
Arthur Gordon is (was?) the largest landowner in the Downtown area, but he is not the only owner who would need to "buy into" this idea in order to a) get it passed and ultimately to b) make it actually happen.

Step 3: Talk about your ideas to the people most affected by them to gauge their opinions, input and ideas
This is so important. People really do not like to see a brand new idea brought out in a venue like the City Council meeting as a Final and Complete Deal! It makes people nervous that deals were made and that few were considered in the thought process. I am not saying this is actually happening, but it is the perception. And in reality, it is the people who live and work and own businesses and drive through and visit and shop and eat, etc. in Downtown who will be the ones who will make this ultimately become a thriving community again... or just have this be yet another failed 'gee whiz' idea with no real foresight or long term plan.

Step 4: Present your ideas to the government body most appropriate to look into the matter and seek to begin the process of thoughtful public discussion

And this is why I was hoping that Councilor Bettencourt would release his plan... so we could all see it and think about the consequences of his ideas and then allow each of us to make our judgement of the idea on the merits, and not the rhetoric we will be sure to hear in the local media.

So, I for one, think this is NOT a good idea for the future of Downtown Peabody.

Flooding Fan or Foe?? We need to get this fix STARTED NOW!

Note: I have emailed Councilor Bettencourt and requested a copy of his Downtown Medical Hub presentation. I have not yet heard back (3 days) and will make a post (without having seen it) in 2 more if I don't hear back from him. I also requested that he publish this presentation online for everyone to see and offered to post it here if need be.

FLOODING!

Love it or hate it - it simply makes sense to start this project as soon as humanly possible to relieve the number one issue that is impacting both the people who live, work and travel through Peabody Square

and is holding up the discussions and actions needed to remake Downtown Peabody into a place we can all be (more?) proud to have as our own!

Salem News: City seeks input on flood plan

I can't really think of a good reason to delay this project from being undertaken. This is not a brand new area where work was never done before - so one would expect few, if any, surprises to be uncovered. In fact, this area has been worked on repeatedly for the past 20+ years all in an attempt to try and find CHEAP solutions to the flooding problem. This is NOT a cheap solution, but instead is probably the best chance we have (in the current economic/political environment) to get a project of this magnitude underway here in Peabody.

All images from Life.com

Some New Life For Downtown?

Two projects were in the news concerning the Downtown area and they both are making me hopeful that we are on a path towards a better, more vibrant, Downtown Peabody. Now these things alone will not save or change anything, and let's face it, a CVS is just another separate parking, 'disconnected' store... but its a start.

The Peabody Lynnfield Weekly News:
Gateway site to city finally sees shovels in the ground
The Peabody Lynnfield Weekly News:
City moves ahead on second grant for Walnut St park
Note: the PLWN only maintains its web new for approximately one week

The Salem News: Legal spat aside, 'gateway CVS is a go


While I really can't imaging the need for an additional big-box drug store in Downtown (I mean we have the Walgreens on Main and the Walgreens just down the road in Salem) I will admit that I am not an expert on retail establishment real estate. So this new store will be just about half way between the two Walgreens.

The architectural rendering is very nice... but they always are. The proof will be in the pudding... will it look this nice when it is done? I certainly hope so. And let's face it, it is replacing a gigantic eye sore that has been looking worse everyday for the last 5 years.

I do hope that the city will be receiving some funding for the Riverwalk project (in land or $$$ - or both) as it will only make the area more attractive and thus better for all the stores in the area. Add this to the new gas station that Stop & Shop is planning and Howley Street will be rather spiffed up.

The Walnut Street Park is also back in the news - perhaps this time more for the fact that it DIDN'T result in yet another fracas at the City Council meeting.

It seem that Councilors Mello and Sinewitz have decided to not try and block the forward momentum towards building the park but, as Councilor Mello said, he is still against it.

“There’s no mistake that I was against this,” Mello said last month, adding that he now supported the plans with “great reservation.”

My guess is that " ...support[ing] the plan with great reservation" is code for I hate this project, but I better get on board because it is going to happen anyway. And I can only surmise that in the future one of two outcomes will happen:

1) The Park will be a failure: Mello will be handing out the blame saying "I TOLD YOU SO!"

2) The Park will be a success: Mello will be in the front of the line accepting the praise for his good work.

But enough about that. I am just happy that the majority of the Council and the administration recognise the wonderful potential this park holds.

Changes in Peabody Square?

I must say I was a bit surprised this weekend when I saw that Peabody Square had finally gotten some new road stripes painted on the roadway. The old ones had been pretty badly worn away, but I just figured that this was yet another price we pay in Peabody for our unnaturally low tax rate.

THE OLD PEABODY SQUARE LAYOUT

So... hurray! They have finally restriped the road! But wait a second... The traffic entering the Square from Lowell Street can NO LONGER use both the left lane and the center lane to proceed straight onto Main Street...? And the striping that used to show two lanes traveling toward Salem on Main Street..., between Foster and Walgreen's are NO LONGER THERE!

THE NEW LAYOUT (FROM LOWELL ST)

What has happened? It seems that instead of discussing and debating the prospects of turning Main Street into a single-lane road... the new Director of Public Services has decided to start the process without the need for public or Council approval... is this the right way to do things in this City?

THE NEW LAYOUT (FROM MAIN ST)

Now, I am actually in favor of rethinking the traffic flow through downtown... and I very well may decide that the one-lane approach is the best one... but it needs to be discussed and debated and ONLY THEN should a change be made. This smacks of top-down arrogance to me.

Perhaps I am wrong about this... but this doesn't seem like the right way to proceed in these types of matters.

Stop & Shop wants to build a new gas station

The Stop & Shop on Howley Street is looking to build a new 4-pump gas station with convenience items in the front of its parking lot.

The Lynn Item: Peabody Stop & Shop eyes gas station addition

The store is selling this as a great way to help solidify its base of shoppers by providing services they need... and offering a discount to them as well. It will be a strictly self-service location with no repair facilities.

Of course, new gas stations require new gas tanks - a total of 40,000 gallons of fuel will be stored on the site.

The store says that 52 parking spaces will be lost... but this is really NOT a worry for this location. I have NEVER been in this store when it was even close to crowded, and that includes the Holiday Rush(es). The only exception was during one late afternoon blizzard which iced over Howley Street leaving NO WAY to leave! Both directions were practically impassable until the City plows arrived (difficult due to the traffic conundrum on Lowell St).So my feeling is this has little to do with serving the current customers of the store and all about profits for a less-than-successful location. In fact, I wonder if this was not part of the plan all along when you consider the enormous size of their parking lot.

Should the City allow this? Well I wonder about the safety of underground storage tanks in flood prone areas (and no matter what this will always be a flood prone area) BUT the new modern tanks are much safer than the old ones (those are what we really need to worry about.) There are actually very few neighbors to impact here, so that shouldn't be a big problem.

However, I do see an issue or two that I would insist be addressed in the approval granting process here.

1) Stop & Shop needs to contribute both money and land to further fund and create the River Walk project which will eventually need to integrate with its property.

2) Stop & Shop needs to improve the traffic flows through the intersections with Howley Street at both Main and Walnut Streets.

I originally proposed new traffic lights to be coordinated all along Howley (see below) but WGAF made a good case against it... so I softened my proposal.

======OLD=VERSION=BELOW=====
However, I do see two issues that I would insist be addressed in the approval granting process here.

1) Stop & Shop needs to pay to install new traffic signals installed at both entrances to the Stop & Shop facility as well as at the intersection of Howley and Walnut... AND all 4 lights (Main & Howley also) need to be synchronized to work well together.

2) Stop & Shop needs to contribute both money and land to further fund and create the River Walk project which will eventually need to integrate with its property.

Walnut Street Park -- One Step Closer

The City Council gave its approval for the City to move forward in applying for loans to clean-up the proposed park site on Walnut Street.

The Lynn Item: Peabody council OKs application for funds

The Councils vote allows Community Development to apply for $550,000 in State funding from the Massachusetts Parkland Acquisition and Renovation for Communities Grant Program.

The park will be a welcome addition to the woefully under served area - giving the neighborhood a place to gather as well as becoming a launching point for the long overdue Downtown Riverwalk.

Of course Councilor Mello again expressed his anger that such a project was going forward in his ward despite his protestations.

"I was against the city purchasing this property because we will be spending a half million to clean it up when the landlord should have cleaned it," he said. "But the council chose differently. We've made a sinkhole here, make no mistake. It's an area that is hard to secure, there will be children playing by the train tracks... I wish it never had passed."

A sinkhole. This man has absolutely no vision. And kids will be playing on the train tracks?? HEAVENS NO! Councilor... take a look at the situation RIGHT NOW! They are already playing on the train tracks... maybe a NEW PARK will give them a different place to play? It's called leadership. It is what your constituents need right now. Be that person or move on.

Time to REZONE the Entire City!

Since the City Council has been reluctant to do their jobs and serve the City residents, it seems some land owners (both residents and big time developers) have decided to take matters into their own hands and ACT to get what THEY desire (in terms of land use - zoning) in the City of Peabody.

These actions are SELDOM, IF EVER, in the best interest of the City... they, instead, are targeting individual concerns or needs over the needs of the entire City. And, of course, all too often our less than courageous Councils and Boards are happy to give them whatever they want.

IT IS TIME TO STOP THIS MADNESS AND REZONE THE ENTIRE CITY OF PEABODY TO A MODERN STANDARD - INCLUDING DOWNTOWN

The City Council is REMISS in their duties on this most important of issues. This should now become the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY of every single member of the City Council. To NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE is COWARDLY at best and FRAUDULENT at worst!

Read more at The Salem News: Peabody takes piece-by-piece approach to development

If this City Council is not up to the task that their positions require... they should ALL be voted out of office.

Walnut Street Park gets 9 thumbs up from City Council!

Lynn Item: Peabody council OKs purchase of vacated property
Salem News: Council OKs park to revive fouled lot
Salem News Editorial: Green replaces industrial grime in Peabody

Well despite the silly grandstanding protestations of Councilor Mello, and the NO vote from both him and Councilor Sinewitz. the saner minds on the City Council passed the measure and now the City can fully pursue the property.

This is a great opportunity for the neighborhood and the downtown area in general. Let's hope that this is just the first move in a rethinking of what the City of Peabody can do for its citizens and its downtown.

Walnut Street Park Still Smart Choice

The Salem News has one again decided to show it's love for all things Peabody...

The Salem News: Council ponders park on cut-rate, polluted parcel

I am not quite sure why the Salem News feels the need to portray the situation in the worst possible manner... Perhaps they are jealous that Peabody is getting some small percentage of the massive amount of money the State and Feds pump into Salem each and every year... But you rarely see the SNews call for a rejection of any home town funds.But in this case we already have an existing problem...
> a derelict, run-down, polluted and dangerous parcel of land

Without any possible hope for a solution...
> the owner has been unable to interest any buyers, has no plans to deal with the safety and pollution issues and the City seems to have no legal recourse against the owner either

Except for an intervention by the City...
> which will be paid for with (at least) 60% State funding for the purchase

Purchasing the property...
> at a huge savings due to both the conditions (polluted) and the economy

And redeveloping it into a New Park (in an area of the City that can really use some help) and a (small) flood retention basin in a flood prone area
> with (potentially) much of the clean-up costs being borne by State and Federal clean-up grants only available to municipal properties

So.... let's consider this again...

The Owner gets to sell his troubled land
.. he wins
....He will then have the money to pay the back taxes (if any)
.... city wins
......The dangerous conditions at the site will be removed
....... neighborhood wins
.........The City will get reimbursed 60%+ for the purchase price
......... city wins
............The City will decontaminate the site
............. neighborhood wins
................The City will (potentially) be reimbursed for the clean-up costs
................. city wins
....................The City will build a new park
..................... neighborhood wins
.......................The Riverwalk will have a major connection point created
........................ city wins
...........................One parcel of crappy dangerous unused land will become a place for everyone to enjoy
_____WE ALL WIN_____

Walnut Street Park - a good idea and a worthy project

I am very pleased that the City Council, assisted with the guidance of the Community Development department, seems to be moving away from petty political agendas and is looking to embrace the proposed park on a currently vacant, derelict and contaminated parcel of land on Walnut Street.

Peabody & LynnfieldWeekly News: City prepares to move forward on Walnut Street park

I must take issue with City Councilor Rico Mello, who seems woefully under informed about a major project that will be happening in his ward. His clear misunderstanding of basic information makes me question why he would wish to undertake a demanding job that needs to deal with complex and complicated matters.

Frankly the job of steering our City is not one to be undertaken lightly. I have seen actions on the part of Councilor Mello which in the past have seemed to show a propensity toward grandstanding and playing to his ward. If this is the case here, I wish he would find a more suitable issue to champion - because this is a clear win-win for the City residents.

Now, if Councilor Mello is actually confused by the materials presented to him by the various City Department... then why is he using the public forum to show his ignorance and casting absurd assertions? Why not go directly to the parties in question and ask them to explain it to you in a way you can understand? Is this not the way to best serve the people who voted for you?

This is a wonderful project and if it does indeed all come together the City will be gaining an assett for little to no money while losing both a danger and an eyesore.

Full text of Mayor Bonfanti's 2009 mid-term Address

The Peabody & Lynnfield Weekly News: Transcript of Mayor Michael Bonfanti's 2009 mid-term address

(note: These links to the PLWN are only available for around 1 week!)

I will post the entire address in the first comment to save space on the main page of the Peabody Roundtable. Please feel free to comment.

The State of the City - January 2009

Lynn Item: Bonfanti gives mid-term address
Salem News: Difficult cash decisions will be in cards for Peabody

I was unable to attend Mayor Bonfanti's mid-term address and the seating of the new City Council last evening. And the text of the speech is NOT (yet?) available on the Mayor's page at the City website. So these comments are based on the newspaper reports and other comments made at those sites and on the Peabody Patriot blog.

First, I think that the overall tone of the message - one of difficult times ahead - is nothing but accurate and a clear thinking assessment of what is to come. I disagree with those people who say he should be emphasizing the positive and downplaying the difficult realities we will all be facing. While "perception equals reality" can be true at times, in these circumstances I would prefer straight talk and not hearts & flowers.

I do not look forward to this coming year (and to be more honest... let's say YEARS because this recession is looking like nothing we have seen in most of our lifetimes). The best estimates for the length of the world-wide financial crisis I have read point to a 18 month (minimum) to 42 month (maximum) time frame... so I am betting on 2-1/2 years of difficult choices and unhappy citizens.

While I would not like to see the schools take the brunt of these cuts (especially not FIRST) I see the reality of the lower enrollments finally coming to a head. We simply have fewer children to educate at this moment, and while I STRONGLY SUPPORT a comprehensive analysis of future demographic trends for Peabody, I believe we are going to see fewer students for the foreseeable future.

Thus the closing of one (or more) schools is both a political reality and a good move for the vast majority of Peabody folks. Of course this will be very hard on some families who might have chosen their home based on proximity to a certain school... and I actually am a huge supporter of neighborhood schools, the times dictate a more cost effective distribution of our limited educational funds. Fewer schools will yield more educational value per pupil and per education dollar.

I strongly agree with the Mayor on the issue of Downtown improvements and the need to repopulate Downtown with businesses... but I believe the most intelligent method for achieving this goal is through the REZONING of Downtown (and the rest of the City) to promote a mixed-use of public, residential and commercial/business in the greater Downtown area.

What are your thoughts?

Council gives $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity

The Peabody News article: Grant for Park Street rehab project OK'd after council grilling. (Ignore the headline, someone goofed)

I want to start off by saying I have nothing but respect for the Habitat for Humanity organization and the people who support them. They offer a much needed service and an interesting way for people to become involved in their community.

However, I am unhappy that the City Council has decided to scrap the rotating loan program (outlined by Community Development) in favor of a one time gift of $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity. This is not the best use of these moneys and it will only garner 8 new affordable residences. They will also be destroying one of the existing (historic?) buildings in favor of saving two others (5 & 12 Park St will remain, 14 Park St will be demolished and replaced with a new 4 unit condo building).

Now, this is a blighted neighborhood that certainly does need a shot in the arm. But I really was impressed with Jean Delios and her plan for a revolving loan program to assist developers in the renovation of existing properties in especially blighted areas. I feel that just a few months was certainly not a fair trial for such a new program. The City Council should have given it much more time to work.

And I also believe that Habitat for Humanity simply looked around for the deepest pockets it could easily find in this circumstance. A well targeted campaign to raise the funds for this project might well have netted $500k or more even in these difficult financial times. There are a great many people who have a vital and vested interest in seeing downtown not just survive, but thrive – these are the folks who could have stepped up if given the opportunity.

Now I will make 80% of you really angry when I add this next bit… Here is yet another reason we need a new zoning plan for the City of Peabody. To be spending half a million dollars of Peabody money (yes, it is targeted for affordable housing but it is still money) on a project that is NOT part of a comprehensive new plan for the Downtown is reprehensible. It is a waste of taxpayer opportunity if not money.

I am all for new affordable housing in this City. We will need it soon enough if we hope to thwart new 40B projects being railroaded into the City. But to spend precious money on an non-integrated solution for our ailing Downtown is sad and regrettable.

Peabody's Top Stories of 2008

A quick recap of what the Salem News (and a few others) considers to be the Top Peabody Stories of 2008

The Salem News: The top 10 local stories of 2008.

Dearborn Fire: May 29, 2008
While it has been stated by several officials that a single cigarette caused this blaze, there are others who see something sinister in the construction of the complex itself. I myself am satisfied with a State Fire Marshall’s report, but there are some who find official reports simply smokescreen when they get in the way of a good old fashioned conspiracy theory. Ahh where are the X-Files when you need them?

The Long saga of John “Jack” Brophy might have finally come to an end in 2008. The story, and the story of the story were interesting to follow. I will not bore people with all the details, but simplify it to this: For missing a 9-1-1 call and other issues Brophy was fired from the Peabody Fire Department, ultimately winning back his job, but then losing it again in a prolonged series of I got YOU… NO, I got YOU between the Mayor, the Chief and Brophy (and the lawyers, of course). The more interesting story to me was the horrendously slanted version of the Dozing Dispatcher played out almost daily in the Salem News. They were the ones to make up this silly name and then they REPORTED that people were calling him that! If I had any doubt about the journalistic integrity of the Salem News, I lost it then. By the way… I have known they have no integrity for a very long time.

Then came Lt. Edward Bettencourt, and another unhappy story. This time of a Peabody Police officer who used his authoritative position to spy on his fellow officers in a seemingly nonsensical action that netted him nothing but I know something you don’t know! Oh, and lost him his job and pension to boot. I was a bit dismayed by the reaction to the courts findings from blog readers. Many people were simply unwilling to consider that the courts were correct in their findings. Lt. Bettencourt could simply NOT be guilty because he coached kids baseball (or somesuch) was the general response. I find that so sad when many of these same people are all too ready to convict other public servants who they disagree with on little or no evidence... simply because they don’t like them.

Peabody Police Officer Justified in Fatal Shooting. This is certainly a sad tale for all involved. While the family might have lost a man dear to them, the officer who was responsible for his safety (and the safety of all of us) will carry this tragic action with him the rest of his life.

Peabody public services director resigns amid rumors. Dick Carnevale resigned as Director of Public Services. He has been a much unloved figure on most of the Peabody blogs for his actions/inactions concerning many issues, but chiefly over his handling of the water treatment waste overflows into Spring Pond. This story has fallen off the pages of the local media… but it is still on the minds of most of the folks who participate in these public forums. I must admit I too am of the opinion that we will never know the true extent of any of these issues.

So those were the big five (or so) as reported. What do you think? Are there any stories that should be included on this list? Please feel free to comment and tell us all how you feel.

City Council Votes For Zoning Changes

* - - - UPDATED - - - *

In an editorial is the Salem News they seem to agree with me regarding the dangers inherent in the special permit process. You can read the Salem News editorial here.

It seems that Zoning Reform in this City is alive and well... as long as it is done by the City Council's rules.

Read the Peabody Weekly News story here.

After months and months of stalling on the City's plans for rezoning much of the Downtown area, the City Council accepted a proposal by Councilor Athas to amend the zoning uses in the current BC (business central) zone. The City Council approved the measure with very little discussion.

The new plan now restricts multifamily residential and rooming house uses in the BC zone to be BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY. This allows the City Council to have final say to approve or deny applicants based on nothing more than who-you-know or simply the whim of the day.

Mark my words... As the City Council is certainly NOT a very legally savvy group... and they are prone to follow the whining of a few vocal people present in a particular meeting (instead of considering the 'good' for the City as a whole)... We are going to be hit with lawsuit after lawsuit IF the properties in Downtown ever become interesting to developers again. The City Council should really leave the important details of economic development, city planning and developer negotiations to trained experienced people.

So now we will have even less opportunity to make Downtown into someplace that people will want to visit, work in or even live in.

Here is a great quote from the article...

“We have a population already that’s adequate to revitalize the downtown,” [Councilor Arthur Athas] said, adding that the area just needs to be made friendlier to pedestrians.

See folks... Peabody's Downtown is PERFECT! All we need to do is make it more pedestrian friendly and we will be all set!

This is the kind of mind at work planning the future of our City.

I find this frightening and sad.

Bettencourt Plan is Wrong Move

* - - - UPDATED - - - *

The "complete" version of the Bettencourt Plan was presented to the City Council and it includes specifics such as income requirements and the need to be current with all City charges. The problem still is that this is using money already earmarked for a different purpose... and using it to duplicate many programs and services already offered to those in need from federal, state and local programs. Read the Salem News article here. And... a Salem News editorial is here.

Ted Bettencourt and the whole City Council want to spend AFFORDABLE HOUSING MONEY, after scolding the City for NOT using it to build new units, to help people pay their heating bills.

Read the Salem News story here.

Now, don't get me wrong... I have been accused of being so liberal I make Obama seem like a Republican (I would dispute that but there you go) and as a champion of the less fortunate, I would gladly support helping people in need during the cold winter months.

But the utter disdain that the City Council has for both the rule and spirit of the law is quite startling. This money is supposed to be used by the City to create AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS. It should NOT be used to install new backstops at the ball fields; it should NOT be used to buy the Fire Department a new engine; it should NOT be used to pay for A FULL ROUND OF DRINKS at the City Council Christmas Party.... AND IT SHOULD NOT BE USED TO FUND A CHARITY.

I am all for charity - heck I have given to the local institutions every year since I can remember. But this money IS NOT and CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT be used for this purpose.

And wouldn't you agree that this is just a tiny bit disingenuous. Less than 6 weeks ago, the City Council voted to REMOVE the ability of the City to collect just such a fee from developers. The reasons for doing this?

The inclusionary zoning buyout option was intended to give flexibility to developers and the city, which could use payments to fund affordable housing programs or directly develop housing for low-income residents. But City Council President Arthur Athas highlighted its limited impact during a meeting last week. "We have actually nothing to show for it," he said.

...Councilor Rico Mello said he could see the advantage the buyout gives developers but not the benefit it offered the city.

The vote was 8-2, with Dave Gamache and Barry Osborne objecting. Getting something was better than nothing, they both said. "We might as well take the money," Osborne said.

So 8 of these so called leaders were angry with the City for not having created affordable housing with this money... even though Community Development is creating a revolving loan program to help create affordable units out of foreclosed and abandoned properties in Downtown.

I guess a whole lot can happen in 6 weeks time.

And don;t even get me started with the way the brain trust of some on the Council works... You come up with a tiny fragment of an idea... and instead of researching the rules and regulations, instead of seeing the feasibility of such actions... instead of DOING YOUR HOMEWORK LIKE YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO...

You make a grandiose proposal in order to garner LOTS OF ATTENTION ON YOU... and then hand it off to someone else to put the lipstick on your pig.

And if they bother to point out all the PROBLEMS you never even bothered too address... well then THEY ARE SIMPLY NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH.

Such 3rd grade politics. I opine for the days when Peabody was considered an actual hotbed of political energy and was filled with politicians worth of the public trust.

Why we need to rezone Peabody

Peabody, the entire City, not just the downtown area, needs a comprehensive rezoning plan. There has been much too much activity such as requested by the Walnut Mart to rezone their property (from Industrial to Business Central) in order to be allowed a liqour license. They now are requesting an amendment of the entire Industrial zone to include selling liquor and non-profit clubs.

In my view, this is clearly an example of Spot Zoning*, which is illegal in Massachusetts. Of course, the burden of proof is on the person alleging spot zoning, not the person seeking the zoning change or the City agency granting the change.

What is spot zoning?

Spot zoning occurs when a small area of land or section in an existing neighborhood is singled out and placed in a different zone from that of neighboring property. For example, a park or school might be allowed in a strictly residential area if it serves a useful purpose to the neighborhood residents.

In some areas of the country the courts have found spot zoning illegal on the ground that it is incompatible with the existing land use-zoning plan or in an overall zoning scheme for the community. Whether the exception carved out is reasonable and supported by the facts, often turns on public interest, the effect the spot zoning has on the current uses of neighboring properties, and any ramifications created by the zoning.

The best way to combat the further abuse of this system is to reevaluate the entire City and to set out new zoning requirements and restrictions that meet the current needs of the community for today and the foreseeable future. This will seriously lessen the need for anyone to come forward and demand that they receive special treatment - especially when they have a high priced lawyer standing by their sides.

And YES, this would certainly include REZONING DOWNTOWN in such a way to make it a viable place for the next 50 years... instead of the last 150 years.

* Note: This link is to a big document of Massachusetts law.