PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING

7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANURY 3, 2002

CITY HALL, MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, 1 JUNKINS AVENUE

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kenneth Smith, Vice-Chairman; Thaddeus J. "Ted" Jankowski, Deputy City Manager; Richard A. Hopley, Building Inspector; Raymond Will; and,

Donald Coker, alternate

MEMBERS ABSENT: John Sullivan; Ernie Carrier; and, Paige Roberts, alternate

ALSO PRESENT: David M. Holden, Planning Director

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I. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Public comment is invited on an amendment to the City’s Master Plan to incorporate a revised element entitled, "Portsmouth’s Cultural Plan". The plan is posted on the City’s Web site and copies are available in the office of the Planning Department and at the Portsmouth Public Library.

The Chair read the notice and opened the Public Hearing.

The Planning Director, David Holden, commented that this was a fine opportunity for the Planning Board to come together with other groups to consider proposals to be incorporated into the Master Plan. He explained that the formal process involves a Public Hearing. He felt that the granting approval of the incorporation would be the start of something very significant.

The Chairman of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Culture, Joanne Grasso, addressed the Board and expressed her appreciation of the time and effort put into the project by the committee during the past two years. She pointed out that the committee had studied the present Master Plan as well as others obtained from other communities. The Committee talked to business groups, service groups, held public forms, and created a web site.

Ms. Grasso spoke to formalizing ties between the City and the Arts of all types. She stated that action by the Board would recognize the existence of the entire arts community.

An inventory of cultural organizations was taken within the City. A survey of visitors to local events was carried on in connection with a national advocacy group which assists in funding the local visibility of the arts. Planning Board members will receive a copy of the survey when completed.

 

Ellen Fineberg then introduced the members of the committee who were present:

Jeff Gable

Peter Happny

Gerry Copeland

Barbara Jenny

Nancy Carmer

Sherm Pridham

Chris Dwyer

Ms. Fineberg made note that Steve Rakaseder was a member who had passed away during the time the committee was meeting.

Jeff Gable, Executive Director of the Music Hall, addressed the Board and informed them that the Music Hall is one of the largest downtown businesses taking in some 1.5 million dollars and putting it back into the economy through staff salaries. He expressed his pleasure at appearing before the Board commenting that the Committee had worked very hard over the past few years adding that an in depth review was made of the 1990 Master Plan.

Mr. Gable went on to state that on December 3<sup>rd</sup>, the City Council held a public hearing at which some 25 people were in attendance to speak in favor of adopting the plan.

Mr. Gable then proceeded to address, with the assistance of Nancy Carmer and a power point program, the key understandings:

#1 That the vibrancy of Portsmouth’s unique culture is critical to the economy and quality of life in the City. He referred to such events as the Christmas Parade and the less than celebratory New Year’s Eve.

#2 That the residents of Portsmouth are not the only ones who recognize what a wonderful value arts and culture has. He pointed out that the December 15<sup>th</sup> edition of USA Today, weekend edition, contained a feature article on ten small town arts and culture centers. He pointed out that the only city named in the area was Portsmouth, NH.

#3 That the stamp of approval by the Planning Board is the next step in the implementation of the report.

#4 That united we stand heads and shoulders above other communities; divided, we shall fall into dust.

The Committee felt it was important to market Portsmouth’s culture to ourselves, the region and the nation at large. Economic impact information should be available in the spring from the national study.

He spoke to the preservation of Portsmouth’s unique character and the creation of new space to keep artists in the downtown. He pointed out that many of our young people remain here after high school and college to raise their children. He felt that by starting young resulted in better citizens for the future.

He spoke to the creation of a partnership with the business communities to foster and secure new collaborations with the arts and culture community.

 

 

He also spoke to the creation of a cultural agency which would have the responsibility of carrying forth the cause of the arts and culture community.

Ms. Fineberg returned to the podium to state that some members of the committee had been left out; such as, Jim Somes, Lars Trodsen and Nancy Carey.

Mr. Coker asked that in terms of space, could Ms. Fineberg elaborate on, given the fact that affordable housing is a serious problem, how affordable space could happen. Ms. Fineberg responded by stating that the committee was appointed to create a cultural plan. It will be the job of the cultural agency that will grow out of the plan to give answers. She referred to the many meetings with various groups and the many individual conversations in an attempt to collect information. She realized that affordable space is an issue and needs to be looked at by some sort of cultural agency and the community as a whole.

Barbara Ward of 16 Nixon Park spoke to non-profits working together to make Portsmouth a prosperous place. She suggested that growth be planned in such a manner in Portsmouth so the cultural resources are not squished out. It was her opinion that much more could be done to market the arts community.

She went on to state that a very high percentage of young people who grow up here, stay here adding that over 80% of those who graduate from Portsmouth come back or live close by.

Ms. Ward commented that when she came to Portsmouth about 14 years ago she was absolutely shocked at the people out on the street at two o’clock in the morning. She concluded that people like to visit and go out of their way to visit.

Pamela Williams of Morning Street stated that she is an artist in the Button Factory. She spoke to the Wentworth Coolidge Arts Association which has really taken off.

She pointed out that a lot of the local artists are leaving the area and going to Rollinsford where a mill has become available adding that some thirty artists have moved during the past four weeks. It was her feeling that at least one-third of them wanted to stay in Portsmouth; however, there is no affordable space available for artists to stay here; that artists are hanging on in Portsmouth.

Ms. Williams went on to state that she came to Portsmouth some four years ago for professional reasons from Connecticut. She concluded that if there were any way that artists could assist, she would be glad to do what she could.

Joan Jones of 32 Livermore Street expressed her support for incorporating the plan into the City’s Master Plan. She spoke to the quality of life in Portsmouth and the identification and preservation of buildings and open space. She pointed out that the need to preserve buildings and open spaces received the most votes of Portsmouth citizens during a recent survey. She urged the Board to keep this plan in mind when considering a request for a permanent easement over Haven Park.

Dan Corcoran of Marcy Street stated that thousands of people visit the City to enjoy its historical homes, parks, and theatres. He pointed out that the Historic District Commission oversees the significant buildings and the Public Works Department takes care of the parks and recreational facilities. It was his thought that there should be a commission overseeing the arts, theatre and music. He concluded by stating that Portsmouth is a wonderful place to visit and a special place to live.

 

 

The Chair thanked the committee for the time, effort and work in putting the plan together. He commented that it was a "fabulous job".

There being no further speakers, the Chair declared the Public Hearing closed.

DISCUSSION AND DECISION OF THE BOARD:

Mr. Coker stated that he was confused as to the role of the Historic District Commission, the community, and the plan. He wondered if there was any overlap.

Mr. Holden commented that he did not see any significant overlap; that the Historic District Commission looks at exterior changes in the district. It was his opinion that the 1991 Master Plan, in its goals and objectives, directs the way the City should be going adding that the goals and objectives should be looked at periodically.

Mr. Gabel commented that the Historic District commission is responsible for buildings themselves; that the Arts and Culture Commission is responsible for what animates the live of the space within.

Mr. Jankowski moved to amend the City of Portsmouth Master Plan by adopting the Cultural Plan as presented by the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the Arts and Culture. Mr. Will seconded the motion.

In speaking to his motion, Mr. Jankowski stated that the committee had done a terrific job in producing a terrific document; that the document was very well thought out; that he, for one, thanked the committee for it; that some elements really struck him; such as, the section on youth and family and after school programs. He applauded the committee for its efforts.

In speaking to his second, Mr. Will stated that about six months ago his brother died at the age of 35 years. It was Mr. Will’s opinion that the arts saved his brother’s life; his brother having suffered from some mental problems.

Mr. Will went on to state that he thought the plan was well thought out and well written with a lot of great ideas as a means of creating a quality of life for all of Portsmouth’s residents; that whether one sells cars, or becomes a lawyer, or sells stamps or provides passports; that arts are what one lives for.

He encouraged people to get involved and urged the integration of mentally ill persons into society by helping them to have a purpose pointing out that the arts is a golden opportunity for some troubled teens and the mentally ill to look for a way to have something to live for above and beyond selling cars, being a lawyer, selling stamps and providing passports.

Mr. Coker made a general observation as a downtown resident, adding that he didn’t want to sound like a one trick pony as his grandmother used to call it, concerning cultural activities ending at 2:00 a.m. and involving alcoholic beverages. Having said that, he commended everybody on their work stating that he was behind the plan wholeheartedly but concluded by reiterating that he lives downtown.

The motion passed unanimously.

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Item not on the Agenda.

Mr. Holden wanted the Board to be aware that the regularly scheduled meeting for January 17^th would carry over to January 24^th. Some of the major items the Board would be concerned with would be the proposed reconstruction of the high school, a recommendation back to the Council in terms of a new library and the Capital Improvement Program.

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2. ADJOURNMENT was had at approximately 7:35. p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Barbara B. Driscoll

Acting Secretary for the Planning Board

These minutes were approved by the Planning Board at its February 21, 2002 meeting.