Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Public Meeting #1 June 11th, 2018 1
Presentation outline I. Introduction: Why are we doing this plan? II. Evolution of Chelsea Creek III. State of Chelsea Creek IV. What is a Municipal Harbor Plan? V. Overview of Waterfront Regulations VI. Local Case Studies 2
I. Introduction: Why are we doing this plan? A Vision for Chelsea Creek 2015, MAPC The MHP will draw from recommendations from A Vision for Chelsea Creek. The MHP will incorporate and enable relevant priorities from this plan. 3
Introduction: Why are we doing this plan? To assess current and future uses along waterfront (and their critical assets) and plan for long-term change Goals Maximize economic development opportunities Increase open space and waterfront public access Foster appropriate, viable maritime uses along the waterfront Buffer residential neighborhoods from maritime industrial uses Align City zoning with MHP recommendations 4
Introduction: Why are we doing this plan? Key Concerns Historic and continuing pollution of Chelsea Creek Economic viability of the existing industrial uses in a changing port-based economy Lack of public access to the waterfront Social and environmental justice issues related to public access and well-being Attract emerging marine industrial trends/businesses suitable for the waterfront 5
Herein lies one of the most challenging aspects of waterfront design: It is local, regional, and global all at once, which can create conflicts among competing interests -Dan Adams 6
II. Evolution of Chelsea Creek 1775 maps of shoreline in Boston Harbor 1775 shoreline over current aerial photograph 7
1942 Chelsea as a global industrial waterway City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan 1938 A historic lack of recreational uses along Chelsea Creek Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 8
Evolution of Chelsea Creek First naval battle of the American Revolution Working waterfront has evolved: Shipbuilding Manufacturing Hub for bulk storage Impacts of the working waterfront: Underutilized properties Major truck routes Not fishable or swimmable 9
Evolution of Chelsea Creek Everett/Chelsea: 546 ac Everett Chelsea Chelsea Creek: 150 ac Somerville Major industrial waterway in the Boston Harbor Stores 70 to 80 percent of the region s heating fuel and 100 percent of the jet fuel that s used at Logan International Airport Provides road salt to 350 New England communities Brickbottom: 110 ac Boston East Boston: 260 ac Massport (all parcels): 400 ac Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park: 130 ac Industrial Newmarket: 80 ac Massport Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park Industrial areas along the Boston Harbor 10
Creating access for historically disadvantaged, environmental justice communities has been a recurring theme for decades. City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 11
III. Current State of Chelsea Creek 12
Existing Uses Public open space 0.8 acres Underutilized industrial 8.6 acres 1% Industrial Triangle 29% 23% Assorted office / warehouse 4.2 acres Eastern Ave. Extension site (Future development) Future development 39 acres 6% Parking 31 acres Forbes site (Future development) Gulf Oil Tanks (Fuel storage) Airport Parking 3% 9% Underutilized industrial / storage 29% Salt storage 11.4 acres Rental car staging Fuel storage 37.9 acres Study area Source: City of Chelsea GIS. Percentages relative to total study area. Parcel boundary City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Eastern Mineral (Salt storage) PORT Park Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 Assorted office / warehouse) 13
Eastern Salt, Marginal St. Gulf Oil Tanks, Eastern Ave Airport Parking, Eastern Ave. PORT Park, Marginal St. Underutilized industrial, Eastern Ave 14
Evolving Character Forbes site (Future development) Much of the study area is occupied by industrial uses that are water-dependent and unlikely to change. Temporary uses (55.3 acres) Long-term industrial uses (60.3 acres) 41% 46% 13% Eastern Ave. Extension site (Future development) Industrial Triangle Gulf Oil Tanks (Fuel storage) Airport Parking Underutilized industrial / storage Study area DPA boundary Near-term transitional uses (17.4 acres) Rental car staging Long-term industrial uses Near-term transitional sites Temporary use City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Eastern Mineral (Salt storage) PORT Park Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 Assorted office / warehouse) 15
Public access Lack of connectivity from adjacent neighborhoods. Designated truck routes create barriers to pedestrian access. The 2016 vision plan proposes open spaces at the Chelsea St. bridge. PORT Park and the pier at 201 Marginal St. provide quality waterfront access. They successfully balance the district s industrial character and public open space needs. Public Park (no waterfront access) Access to the waterfront Existing points of access Commuter rail Truck routes Distance between points of access City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan PORT Park, Pier at 201 Marginal Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 Harbor Walk 16
Varied conditions of the Harborwalk Harbor Walk entrance Parking lots along Eastern Ave. Near the parking lots along Marginal St. City of Chelsea: Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Public Meeting 1, June 11, 2018 Seating along the Harbor Walk 17
Future public open spaces will need to be carefully designed to be compatible with Chelsea Creek s use and character. 18
V. What is a Municipal Harbor Plan? A document stating the community s goals, standards, and policies to guide public and private land use along harbors. If approved by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the plan will help guide and coordinate local, state and federal actions along the Chelsea Creek waterfront. 19
What is a Municipal Harbor Plan? What can an MHP do? Alter dimensional standards required by state regulations Request a change of land use Suggest new water-dependent uses Advocate for additional waterfront access for public enjoyment 20
What is a Municipal Harbor Plan? What can t an MHP do? Serve as a tool for managing flooding or other environmental threats Provide a traffic study for industrial areas Reprogram land under active waterdependent industrial uses Achieve all the recommendations of the visioning study 21
What can the Chelsea Creek MHP achieve? The Municipal Harbor Plan can address elements of the waterfront vision that relate to: Recommended land uses, Building massing and height, Open space requirements and Improved standards for public access. 22
VI. Waterfront Regulations 23
VI. Waterfront Regulations Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution The people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic qualities of their environment Clean Water Act The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation s waters. 24
What is Chapter 91? Chapter 91, or the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act : Provides public access to waterways Preserves and protect the rights of the public Establishes priority for water-dependent uses Guarantees that private uses of tidelands and waterways serve a proper public purpose. Codifies the Public Trust Doctrine of 1641-47 Charlestown Boston Chelsea East Boston Filled Tidelands / Ch 91 Jurisdiction Historic Shoreline South Boston 25
What is Chapter 91? Water dependent uses: Uses requiring direct access to water, e.g. recreational boating, commercial fishing, aquariums, harborwalks, shipping. Nonwater dependent uses: May be located on waterfront but do not rely on proximity to the water, e.g., retail, hotels, offices, restaurants, and residences. 26
What is Chapter 91? Dimensional standards For all non-water dependent uses, Chapter 91 regulates: Building heights Public open space Harbor walk First floor uses Publicly accessible uses on first floor Setbacks above 55 Harbor Walk Required open space (50% of site area) Site planning requirements within Chapter 91 parcels. 27
What is Chapter 91? Where is Chapter 91 jurisdiction along Chelsea Creek? It includes filled tidelands extending up to the first public ROW. It is bound by the yellow boundary and the area seaward of it. Chelsea Chelsea Creek East Boston Chapter 91 Jurisdiction 28
What is a Designated Port Area (DPA)? An area regulated to allow specific working port industrial uses that need to use the watersheet to operate. Land use is limited to Water-Dependent Industrial (WDI) uses. The boundary is periodically reviewed by CZM, e.g. the Chelsea Creek boundary was adjusted in 2016. Mystic River DPA Charlestown East Boston DPA Chelsea Creek DPA Chelsea East Boston Boston South Boston DPA South Boston 29
What is a Designated Port Area (DPA)? Examples of water dependent uses 30
What is a Designated Port Area (DPA)? Forbes site DPA boundary review In 2016 the Forbes and Eastern Ave. Extension site were removed from the Designated Port Area through a boundary review process. Eastern Ave. Extension site This allows for future non-water dependent industrial uses on those parcels. Designated Port Area Chapter 91 Jurisdiction 31
Case Study: East Boston The 2008 Plan Amendment was developed to: Advance 2002 Municipal Harbor Plan s vision to: Provide the public with waterfront access, Preserve and strengthen the working port, Enhance the East Boston community, and Ensure that the waterfront serves as a positive economic force Facilitate the redevelopment of three underutilized properties along the East Boston waterfront 32
Case Study: East Boston The 2008 Plan Amendment proposed: Project information for three new projects: 6-26 New Street: Residential and commercial development; public open space, public access 102-148 Border Street: Residential building; community art gallery; interpretive historical exhibits; public open space; Harborwalk 125 Sumner Street: Affordable housing units Building heights, setbacks, and uses and measures to activate the waterfront, consistent with the harbor plan and Chapter 91 standards 33
Case Study: East Boston Outcomes of the 2008 Plan Amendment include: 6-26 New Street: Complete (259 residential units) 102-148 Border Street: Complete in early 2018 (midrise residential community) 125 Sumner Street: Project approved in 2017, construction to begin soon (52 mixed income residential units) 34
Case Study: Gloucester The 2014 Plan was developed to: Support commercial fishing Provide flexibility of waterfront uses Promote public access while maintaining industrial uses Provide infrastructure and navigation improvements Enhance and focus administrative resources to support the viability of the port 35
Case Study: Gloucester The 2014 Plan proposed: Revising the DPA Identifying emerging water-dependent industries Protecting commercial fishing vessel berthing Developing amplifications to existing regulations to promote flexibility with waterfront development Encouraging the integration of public access into waterfront development Creation of a Port and Harbor Committee 36
Case Study: Gloucester Outcomes of the 2014 Plan include: East Gloucester re-zoning to accommodate a mix of residential, commercial, and marine uses (in progress) Construction underway on Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute 37
Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Process April - June June - December November 3 months / 21 days 21 days Notice to Proceed Development of MHP Submission of MHP to EEA Public comment and consultation Final decision by the EEA Secretary Three public meetings: June 11 August 18 October 18 Public hearing: November 2018 38
What is a Municipal Harbor Plan? Chelsea Creek Municipal Harbor Plan Process Harbor Planning Group The Harbor Planning Group (HPG) will serve as an advisory body for the Municipal Harbor Plan. The planning team will meet with the HPG prior to all public meetings. There will be six total meetings with the HPG. The HPG, comprised of a mix of stakeholders from the business community, local non profits, and Chelsea residents. They will help guide the community engagement and outreach process. 39
How can I be involved? Stay Connected sign up for email updates! Attend the next Public Meetings August 18 October 18 Check the website for updates and download this presentation! mapc.org/chelseaharborplan Share on Social Media #chelseamhp Involve your neighbors, friends and family! Pass along the information that you learned here today 40
MHP study area Chelsea Creek Designated Port Area Chapter 91 Jurisdiction 41
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