For Some Beverly Residents, Development Is Out Of Control

BEVERLY, MA — Over the past 10 years, Beverly officials have approved more than 700 new housing units. That's a complete about-face from 2000 and 2010, when the number of housing starts lagged well behind state averages. And when he delivered his inaugural address earlier this month, Mayor Mike Cahill said residents could expect more new development as the city finalizes it master plan.

"In this coming two year session, it will be critically important that we can all find common ground to move forward with thoughtful needed new growth consistent with our shared values as a city," Cahill said in his inaugural speech. "New growth that helps us meet our ongoing and very real housing and economic development needs, both on their own merits and because this city needs new growth revenues each and every year in order to deliver the many high quality city services and world class education that our residents need and expect."

But when we asked Beverly Patch readers about their thoughts on the rapid pace of development in Beverly, most thought the city was doing too much in too short of a time frame.

"Personally I think development is out of control in Beverly. How can the City Services and infrastructure keep up with it?" R. Janard wrote n response to our question. "I don’t see many of Beverly’s streets being repaved, and they need it. We need more housing? By squeezing out small businesses where the land is more valuable as housing?"

John Caveman has yet to see the fulfillment of the promise that more housing would translate into lower housing costs. "Over $2,000 a month in rent on Rantoul Street in Beverly?" he said. "Are you kidding me?"

Other respondents said the current process favors developers over residents and neighbors of the project proposals.

"I believe the major developers in Beverly are only interested producing money out of every square inch of property and not at all interested in doing anything for the people of Beverly," Richard Hutchinson said. "They have total control and have so much power they are able to do anything they want their way without any consideration."

"The expensive apartments by the train station have only served to boost rental rates in the city - and these are not affordable to most people. City leaders should not bend to every whim of the developers and need to be wary. Look no further than the fiasco by the train station," a reader named Bill Copeland, no relation to the author, wrote in reference to the Depot II project. "Perhaps some city land can be donated and a developer can work with Harborlight to develop affordable projects."