LYNN – The Ordinance Committee approved an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance for the Waterfront Master Plan Tuesday and the amendment is on its way to the City Council for a public hearing.The amendment details height restrictions for four designated waterfront districts, along with off-street parking regulations and several other modifications to the existing draft.Economic Development & Industrial Corp. (EDIC) Executive Director James Cowdell said he has been working on the draft for the past 18 months with Hal McGaughey, also of EDIC.”This really is the teeth of the plan because it will determine the height of the buildings and use,” he said. “This is really and truly the biggest thing to happen to Lynn in my lifetime and it’s a great opportunity to change the face of the city.”Zone 1, which governs the southern portion of the site along with the area closest to downtown, was proposed to have a maximum height of 20 stories, and a minimum height of three stories.Zone 1A, located along the northern edge of Lynn Harbor and the Nahant Rotary, would have a maximum height of eight stories and would not allow research and development or transit facilities.City Council President Timothy Phelan said the height for Zone 1A was originally proposed to be 20 stories by Sasaki Associates, but the council didn’t feel the area was appropriate for that height.Zone 2, also located along the northern edge of the Lynn Harbor and the Nahant Rotary would have a maximum height of four stories.Zone 3, located between Blossom Street and the extension of Carolyn Road, with the Lynnway located on the east, would also have a maximum height of 20 stories.Recommendations for the Washington Street Corridor, or lower portion of the Sagamore Hill area behind Zone 1A would include a maximum height of six stories and a minimum height of four stories consistent with the nature of the neighborhood.Prior to the zoning draft, the City Council approved the waterfront master plan in September, paving the way for the 250-acre development to get underway.If implemented, the massive undertaking would net more than $18 million in annual property tax revenues, create a mix of residential, commercial and office space, a hotel, light industry, a mixed-use marina, a port designated area for marine use, and ample open park spaces.McGaughey said he encourages suggestions for the draft to be submitted so that all ideas are fairly considered.Since the majority of the waterfront area is filled tidelands, it falls under the state’s Chapter 91 waterways licensing programs to protect and promote the property.”Since the land is Chapter 91, it could be a little more expensive to develop,” he said. “Height definitely adds value to the land so we want to make sure that it is economically feasible for developers.”Cowdell said once the draft is approved, the next big piece in the master plan puzzle is to relocate the power lines that are currently impeding the project.”We continue to work daily on the power lines because if that isn’t accomplished, the rest of the plan is moot,” he said.The master plan process began in the summer of 2006 when preliminary concepts were presented to the community and revisions were then made to the draft.