This is a photo from last night’s very well attended Planning Board and Planning and Development Committee meeting at City Hall on the Rezoning of Commercial Street #33 and #47 (Bird’s-Eye), Amend Gloucester Zoning Ordinance to create a Hotel Overlay District. I didn’t stay for the whole meeting, but did hear Sheree Delorenzo’s as well as her attorney’s presentations, which answered any questions I had, and got to hear a number of the people who spoke out in favor of the proposal. All those lined up along the right hand wall were waiting their turn to speak.
I found the message under the mural very approriate for the meeting: “Build Not For Today Alone, But For Tomorrow As Well”.
E.J. Lefavour
Good Morning Gloucester 
It was a very informative meeting. To be continued this coming Thursday. I listened to what everyone had to say on the issue from both stand points, except when stepping out to check in via cell phone with home. I was extremely disappointed to learn that Mayor Kirk left as soon as those opposing the re-zoning got their opportunity to to be heard. That spoke volumes, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks this way. I think she and many others should of had the common courtesy to listen to everyone.
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Thanks for input Laurel. I figured it would be continued. Based on the number of people in line to speak in favor, I knew it would be at least another hour after I left at 8:30, before opposing comments would be heard. On Mayor Kirk, she spoke at the beginning and made clear her and the City Council’s support of the rezoning, and I think it is safe to assume that they heard many people’s input prior to this meeting, in order for them to have made their support public at the start. Once you’ve made that public statement, there really is no need to stay and listen through the whole meeting, especially when it is pretty obvious it is not going to be completed that night. I would have liked to have heard some of the opposing comments, but likewise I had already made my decision in favor and had to get home. The next meeting presumably will start with the opposing comments, so I will plan to return so I can hear them, not that it will change my mind, but because I like to know what everyone is thinking and why.
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I appreciate your opinion E.J. As Mayor, who works for all the Citizens of Gloucester, I think she has a moral obligation to listen to everyone, not just those in favor of re-zoning. She does not work for a select group. If I wanted to put in a chain store, let’s say Dunkin Donuts adjacent to the Village Hall in Annisquam, and she thought it was a good idea, and I went for re-zoning, I would hope that “hypothetically speaking,” of course, that she as Mayor of this city would listen to the people that live in Annisquam.
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Laurel,
You need to present an “apples for apples” comparison…don’t just try to jab EJ because she lives in Annisquam in the winter…there are no commercial sites for an DunkinDonuts next to the village hall…however, there is a broken down, rathole of an old frozen food processing facility in the Fort that a local resident wishes to develop into a tax producing , employment producing facility. The project needs to go through a “vetting” process, let the review continue. Jim Davis has made an investment here on several locations, I am looking forward to the next meeting.
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And Laurel, I do agree with you that the Mayor and City Council do have a responsibility to listen to all their constituents, not simply those they agree with. If we could all learn to just listen to each other and really hear what each other has to say, I think the world would be a much better place. We can’t all agree on everything, but there is no reason to fight or have harsh words, or discount what someone else feels or believes.
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Paolo, I had no idea that E.J. lives in Annisquam in the Winter. I just threw that out there. I have friends in Annisquam. The Davis’s on Leonard St., The Banks on Arlington… Jumping off the wooden bridge was a huge part of my childhood. Vanilla Cokes at the Market with the Hodgkins kids… Rowing over to Wingaersheek in a Dory from Goose Cove. I only used Annisquam as a hypothetical reference. I wouldn’t want to see resident re-zoning there, or in Lanesville, just as I don’t want to lose our Marine Industrial Zoning in Gloucester. Put a Hotel where the Police Station is now. No re-zoning needed and from what I hear, they will be moving the station. Perfect “Downtown” location. The Mayors departure was and will remain a show of disrespect in my eyes.
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Laurel is absolutely correct. Last night’s hearing was the first public hearing on the matter. Consequently it was the first opportunity for the Mayor to hear the current concerns. To make a decision to endorse a project prior to conducting a proper economic analysis to assure that her decision would not have a negative impact on the local economy and to leave prior to hearing reasons for concern is not only a matter of bad manners but a cavalier refusal to represent all her constituents. While not obliged to stay, being the first public hearing, the fact that she did not stay might cause one to wonder what reasons she might have had to not listen to valid and well documented concerns?
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Hi E.J., Thanks for putting up a post about the meeting. It was wonderful to participate in the process and to hear so many residents and businesses on both sides. I’m sorry that you had to leave. The Chair made a decision based on equal time and those opposing began comment at 8:35, finishing up at 10:30 after the Board allowed an extra half hour to let most in line speak. It is a shame that so many people for the proposal left as the Chair transitioned into hearing from the those opposing but since it is recorded, I’m hoping it will be made available online so that the Mayor and others can hear their neighbors heartfelt thoughts about re-zoning.
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I didn’t take Laurel’s comment about a Dunkin Donuts in Annisquam as a jab, whether she knew I lived in Annisquam or not, but thanks Paolo. I actually believe that if they tried to put a Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds or even a little convenience store, say where the Market Restaurant is now, there would be such an outcry, and more people on the Mayor’s phone, doorstep and email that she would have no doubt whatsoever what the people of Annisquam thought about it. I believe the same has probably been true with this proposal. They had already heard all the pros and cons before the meeting. I am curious though, Laurel. What is your feeling about the rezoning, and why? Since I didn’t get to hear what the people in opposition had to say, I am curious to know. You said that you don’t want to see Gloucester losing its Marine Industrial Zoning, but they made it clear in the meeting last night that this is an overlay – the zoning beneath it doesn’t go anywhere. It is not being permanently taken away. They also pointed out that the facility in question is located at a low water (beachfront) location and therefore cannot be used for commercial fishing endeavors. What would you like to see go in that space in lieu of a hotel? Obviously its remaining vacant and unused doesn’t do anyone any good.
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How is a hotel in the Fort a bad idea (its seems to be a vast improvement) or a comparison to a Dunkin Donuts in the Annisquam?
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In reference to the subject matter of the mural , not long ago I wrote a poem while sitting in the Fred Kyrouz Council Hall. I reflected my deepest thought on my working twelve years in City Hall , and also the stories Lois Pallelli used to tell me, in referance to Ma Todd, Florence Rust her maiden name , and how she used to wrestle in this great hall. In all actuality the last party held before it closed for repairs was for my Father & mothers 47th. wedding anniversary. The Todd family filled the hall.Thanks to Mayor Tobey and the now coucil president Jackie Hardy. I offer the following
Build not for today alone, but for tomorrow as well
By Peter A. Todd 12/02/2011
capeannsalon.com
As I sit in the City’s Fred J. Kyrouz Chamber
I cannot help reflect upon the dedication and love
Of those who created our city of today
Who now reside in God’s hallowed Chamber Above?
We could start with Mayor Beatrice Corliss
A Lady who is a reflection of our Mayor Kirk today
I look upon the Gallery of those who served
Garland, Silva, Rafter, Friend, O’Maley, Alper to name a few
Leaders of yesterday who always kept their word
Tomorrow comes another great day but we are not alone
For those who have been newly elected to serve
I am sure will carry on cities pledge now etched in stone
For all its people to be seen and heard
Truly the wisdom of our youth must also be made aware
So that our city can grow and prosper
That their education and faith will be always shared
By the children and Families of our beloved city ” Our Gloucester “
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In reference to the subject matter of the mural , not long ago I wrote a poem while sitting in the Fred Kyrouz Council Hall. I reflected my deepest thought on my working twelve years in City Hall , and also the stories Lois Pallelli used to tell me, in referance to Ma Todd, Florence Rust her maiden name , and how she used to wrestle in this great hall. In all actuality the last party held before it closed for repairs was for my Father & mothers 47th. wedding anniversary. The Todd family filled the hall.Thanks to Mayor Tobey and the now coucil president Jackie Hardy. I offer the following
Build not for today alone, but for tomorrow as well
By Peter A. Todd 12/02/2011
capeannsalon.com
As I sit in the City’s Fred J. Kyrouz Chamber
I cannot help reflect upon the dedication and love
Of those who created our city of today
Who now reside in God’s hallowed Chamber Above?
We could start with Mayor Beatrice Corliss
A Lady who is a reflection of our Mayor Kirk today
I look upon the Gallery of those who served
Garland, Silva, Rafter, Friend, O’Maley, Alper to name a few
Leaders of yesterday who always kept their word
Tomorrow comes another great day but we are not alone
For those who have been newly elected to serve
I am sure will carry on cities pledge now etched in stone
For all its people to be seen and heard
Truly the wisdom of our youth must also be made aware
So that our city can grow and prosper
That their education and faith will be always shared
By the children and Families of our beloved city ” Our Gloucester “
Reply
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Thank you so much for that Peter. I think your line “for all its people to be seen and heard” hits the nail on the head, at least as far as responders to this post seem to be concerned. And I have to agree with them, that it is the responsibility of our elected officials to listen to what all their constituents have to say, because in the process there may come to light some concessions that can be made to make more of the whole community be in accord with an outcome, which should be what everyone wants; and it is only fair. And it could be that the answer to a sticking point is already there but has just not been communicated well enough to be understood.
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E.J. I have so many reasons that I want (MI) zoning to stay the the Birdseye site, but I won’t get into all of them. What would I like to see go in there? Marine Research, a place for Universities to teach, a company that extracts the needed element from crab/lobster shells in medicines for cancer. I wasn’t fortunate to get a higher education after high school, but my common sense tells me that there are better jobs than those offered by a hotel resort. All I heard from those in favor of a hotel, were the reason why it is needed, but not a good enough reason to re-zone for it. The police station I am told will be moving to another location. Thus we will have another building vacant downtown. This would be an ideal spot, no re-zoning required, in the heart of downtown allowing people to stroll out their door, past our shops & restaurants while they head to the Boulevard or beach.
There is already a permit pulled for a Hotel at Gloucester Crossing One of the arguments came from Varian’s need for nearby accommodations, why not build this hotel?
Sheree said she wants what is best for Gloucester and for our city to prosper from it. I ask then, why is it that on Cruisport’s vendor list there is only 1 out of 19 located in Gloucester? Instead of sending people to a hotel out of town, why not have a list of local B&B’s, Inns, and motels along with her event plans? It makes for good neighborly business. I know when I planned my wedding I did it months in advance and had plenty of time for those that needed a place to stay to make reservations.
With all this aside… I sincerely believe that this isn’t just about a hotel at the Birdseye Property. There is a lot more going on that folks just aren’t seeing. Speculative, yes, we have no choice but to speculate. Mr. Davis paying 3 times what Mac paid for the property, Mac turning around and purchasing several properties on Beach Court, the two of them together looking at other properties within the Fort… the purchase of 28R Fort Square, the ownership of 417 Main Street and 6 Rowe Square…. all tell me that this certainly isn’t about “Just a Hotel down the Fort.”
The new waterfront walk that is going in now, a wonderful thing, but it makes me wonder again. Now it will go from St. Peter’s Square and bring you to Cruiseport, stage #3 of the plan will bring you right to the doors of (if erected) Jim Davis’s sister Company.
I’d like to say, in regards to the meeting of Monday, that the room was indeed full, with people from both sides. I’m proud to see that those from our side came on their own steam and that we didn’t have to send out a mass mailing of postcards, or pass an invitation to you along with your dining bill at Cruiseport. I know there were some folks on the fence about what they thought, but after staying the entire meeting and hearing everyone, they’ve joined with those of us who do not want (MI) rezoning.
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Because I respect Laurel and the way she presented her commment without bashing someone I’ll let her have the last word in this thread of comments even though I disagree with most of what she had to say for different reasons.
I’ll ask that any further discussion on it be carried on at Cape Ann Online where they stared a great thread trying to debate the merits for and against here
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