We, the undersigned, oppose the conversion of the property commonly referred to as the Birdseye and its adjacent lands, to an overlay district allowing residential use. This includes opposition to the current proposed overlay district or any zoning proposal or any specific project application for said properties which includes, adds, or grants the following uses by right or any special permit for:
Hotel/Motel, Condominiums, or any other residential use as described under the Gloucester Zoning Ordinances 2.3.1.
We enter into this petition in the belief that these uses
a.) conflict with the working harbor and related business across Commercial Street;
b.) conflict with the years of planning that have brought us to this point in time which we have a Harbor Economic Development Plan that ought to be supported, not undermined;
c.) risk undermining the recent efforts of the Maritime Summit, whose recommendations are not yet complete; and
d.) risk undermining the Maritime Economic Development Board that is just starting to work toward further marine industrial development.
We also believe that the CITY NEEDS MORE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE to make our community and harbor more successful.
Furthermore, we support a downtown hotel, but believe such a hotel ought to be in the heart of downtown where it's economic benefit can support all downtown businesses and not on the edge of town where it risks being an isolated beach enclave.
For more information contact:
[email protected]
