Business & Industrial Development Authority

Nashua Business and Industrial Development Authority Meeting Minutes May 17, 2013 1. Call to Order and Welcome The regular meeting of the Nashua Business and Industrial Development Authority was called to order at 8:15 a.m. on May 17, 2013 in Room 208, 2nd floor, Nashua City Hall by Chairman Jack Tulley. Present: Chairman Jack Tulley, Vice-Chairman Don Zizzi, Carl Andrade, Brad Vear, Mark Prolman, Jason Haviland, Camille Pattison, Alderman Brian McCarthy, David Fredette, Heath Gaffney, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Absent: John Stabile Other Attendees: Tom Galligani, George Durante, David Denehy, Jim Vayo, Alderman Barbara Presley 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 19, 2013 MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 4, 2013 MEETING MADE BY H GAFFNEY. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY M PROLMAN AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Bridge Street Project Update: o Renaissance Downtowns Status Report T Galligani reported to the committee that the Bridge Street Project had reached a major milestone after receiving approval from the Planning Board. J Tulley informed the committee that he sensed vocal pushback against the project at the meeting regarding concerns over traffic coming in from Hudson, as well as the overall effectiveness of the proposed rotary. He noted that the rotary’s design has yet to be released. J Tulley also informed the committee that former Alderman Paula Johnson was the primary representative voice of opposition at the meeting. J Vayo commented that almost every member of the planning board spoke positively about the project. T Galligani informed the committee that devising a strategy to discontinue Bancroft Street and replace it with an easement in a manner that does not simply hand the abutting property owner land was one of the next items that would have to be considered to move the development forward. J Vayo added that the Planning board has been engaged in discussions with the abutting property owner, but no legal documentation has been produced to date. T Galligani also updated the committee regarding the relocation of the emergency overflow detention pond. Discussions are still underway with engineering about how to replace the drainage area with a more comprehensive system that links to the proposed rotary. Page 1 of 3  o Appraisal RFP Reissuance: Update T Galligani explained that second RFP was issued for an appraiser, but no responses were received. The search will continue and qualified candidates can contact T Galligani. B Vear remarked that he had recently contacted Donnie Watson on multiple occasions to gauge his interest in the project, but thought the job may be too large for Donnie Watson to complete. Tom exclaimed that he has a previously scheduled meeting with him regarding a different subject on Tuesday, May 21st. T Galligani stated that he has reached out to larger firms in the Boston area and will follow up. He also stated the need to have an appraiser on board for the project within the next month. Alderman McCarthy questioned why there have been so few responses to the RFP. Mayor Lozeau responded that this issue also occurred with the Broad Street Parkway. M Prolman referenced a lack of qualified appraisers in the area who can handle a site of this size. J Tulley thanked those who have been pursuing candidates on behalf of the board. o CSO Project Status T Galligani reported that there were no new developments since the last meeting. o Skatepark Relocation T Galligani reviewed that the first Skatepark Committee meeting had occurred as reported last month. A second meeting had been called, but was cancelled. City staff is still identifying potential sites and is eager to complete the project. M Prolman asked if the project can start before the skatepark is relocated. T Galligani reported that contractually the project can move forward, but the community expects significant progress in the relocation of the skatepark before construction begins. Mayor Lozeau reiterated the importance of finding a location in a timely manner and outlined that it is the Skatepark Committee’s job to find a location, the job of the Mayor’s office to finance and navigate the logistics of the relocation, and it is BIDA’s job to connect the funding to Renaissance. A location is needed in order to show a sign of good faith. M Prolman asked if site plan approval was required. Mayor Lozeau replied yes. M Prolman asked if Kathy Hersh has been involved. Mayor Lozeau replied yes, and remarked that several viable sites have been identified. 4. East Hollis Street / Crown Street T Galligani reported that a Purchase and Sales Agreement has been signed for Crown Street and approvals have been received from NH DOT. The city has been working with Kraft Appraisals, which should have the job completed by the end of the month, allowing for the closing to occur in June. Regarding the East Hollis Street roundabout, T Galligani stated that the project has made it on to the state’s plan. D Zizzy, Kathy Hersh, and T Galligani are planning the next step. T Galligani proposes the establishment of a subcommittee to review old master plans of the area, interview property owners, and then report back to BIDA D Zizzy engaged in a presentation with GIS, referring to this area of the city as an important gateway and prime point of entry because of the riverfront. To begin planning D Zizzy thought it best to look at the larger geographic picture of the area and leveraging the natural boundaries that created by the rivers and the opportunity that can be derived from the riverfront parcels. Page 2 of 3 D Zizzy remarked about the stability of the Alphabet Street neighborhood based on owner occupied buildings. J Tulley asked if D Zizzy’s conclusion is that nine owner occupied units constitute a critical mass for the neighborhood. D Zizzy responded that yes, there is integrity in these neighborhoods and the critical goal is to link these neighborhoods with downtown. D Zizzy recommended that the committee take a walking tour of the surrounding neighborhoods. Alderman McCarthy voiced that these neighborhoods should not be written off due to the projected commuter rail that should create demand for housing within walking distance of the station. Locating the station near these neighborhoods should improve owner occupancy. D Zizzy agreed and noted that it was a good point. Mayor Lozeau reminded the committee that the new traffic circle could supply direct access to the rail station. This would be a huge redevelopment opportunity, aid in creating a nice gateway, and assist with storm water management. Alderman McCarthy presented a scenario to the committee pertaining to where the priorities will be in land management once the rail station is built, asking if the city converts the inexpensive industrial space that is nearby or if it works to preserve the affordable industrial space. J Tulley scheduled a visit to the sites in June using a city trolley. T Galligani suggested that the committee motion to create the subcommittee. J Tulley opted to propose this motion in a future meeting. 5. Introductions Mayor Lozeau introduced Denehy to the committee due to his interest in becoming a new member. T Galligani introduced G Durante to the committee. 6. Next Meeting Date MOTION TO ADJOURN BY J TULLEY. MOTION SECONDED BY M PROLMAN AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Meeting was adjourned at 9:17 a.m. The next general meeting will be at 8:00 am on June 21, 2013 in City Hall Room 208 with a site tour of the surrounding neighborhoods near East Hollis Street/Crown Street. Minutes submitted by: G Durante Page 3 of 3  Bridge Street Waterfront Revitalization Update Progression & Highlights for the Week of May 13th Site Plan Hearing: Renaissance Downtowns went before the City of Nashua Planning Board on May 2nd for the continuation of the site plan review which was tabled from the April 11th Hearing. The Bridge Street Review was the second item on the agenda.  The continuation of the hearing included the following elements: o Response from Renaissance Downtowns to the public comments regarding the site plan. o Final public comment represented by Paula Johnson.  The response and rebuttal was followed by comments from a majority of the planning board members which commended the project on its planning efforts to date. o The Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan with the agreed upon and anticipated waivers and conditions of approval.  Although additional public comment was not allowed during the site plan hearing continuation, Renaissance would like to extend a thank you to BIDA Chair Jack Tulley for having a presence on behalf of the BIDA at the May 2nd hearing. Next Steps for the Site Plan: Renaissance is focused on working with the city to address the conditions of approval resulting from the site plan approval. Items of priority for resolving conditions of approval are as follows:  Prior to the issuance of the first building permit, all easements, including an access easement for the new City Screening and Disinfection Facility and outfall, will be submitted to City staff for review and approval and recorded at the Registry of Deeds. o Easement for access is established and waiting in escrow, land easements for Levee, CSO, Cell Tower, need to be negotiated with the City.  Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a plan for the removal or relocation of the emergency overflow basin must be approved by the appropriate authority and an agreement between the City and Renaissance Downtowns, LLC will be in place. o Renaissance will continue work with economic development in respect to current plans and next steps in the planning process for this task and provide assistance as requested.  Prior to the issuance of a building permit, discontinuance of the Bancroft Street right‐of‐way must be approved by the Board of Aldermen. o Renaissance is drafting strategy with the City and anticipates starting the discontinuance process shortly. Coordination with the city with regards to easements for the CSO is needed. Once the discontinuance is submitted to the city the process will take approximately 90 days to complete. Other items for action include:  Plans for the relocation of the existing skate park will need to be finalized.  Renaissance will negotiate with the city on a fair share contribution to the roundabout design.  The decommissioning of monitoring wells on the site with the NH DES.  Renaissance will need to readdress the Planning Board to obtain additional approvals o For redefining property boundaries for the development site o Subdivide the levee to remain as property of the City of Nashua. o Subdivide the cell tower to remain as city property.