Lynn council approves harbor zoning plan

LYNN – The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a zoning plan related to development of the waterfront along Lynn Harbor.No support or opposition to the ordinance was voiced during the public hearing, although the city’s hired design team, Sasaki Associates, was on hand for the proceedings.The Lynn Economic Development & Industrial Corp. (EDIC) employed Sasaki Associates to oversee development of a Municipal Harbor plan that would dovetail with the city’s Waterfront Master Plan. A series of public meetings with state regulatory officials were held to discuss the proposal. Discussions were also held with property owners in the neighborhood who will be impacted by the ordinance.A key component of the harbor plan regulates building height and setback from the tidal zone, according to City Development Director James Marsh.Generally, buildings with non-water dependent uses and that are greater than 100 feet from the high water mark can be taller than those closer to the water.Under the plan, water-dependent industrial uses include marine terminals, commercial fishing facilities, boat repair and construction centers, ferry terminals and manufacturing that relies on bulk receipt of goods by waterborne transportation.Other uses include warehousing, trucking and parking on a licensed basis for a maximum term of 10 years. The entire zone is referred to as the Designated Port Area.City development officials are also meeting with representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to map out the dredging of a navigational channel in Lynn Harbor. Earlier this month, National Grid finished removing electrical transmission lines on the waterfront as part of the overall master plan.