Advisory Group Disbands After one Meeting

BOSTON-An advisory group formed to cut through the red tape surrounding waterfront development has disbanded after only one meeting. David Begelfer, head of the local chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, tells GlobeSt.com that the decision to close up shop came after group participants realized they did not have enough time to achieve their goals under the state’s current administration.

The 12-member panel, called the Chapter 91 Advisory Committee, was formed by the state Department of Environmental Protection to study Massachusetts’ Chapter 91 law, which regulates activities and development on the Commonwealth’s tidelands and other waterways. “We were hoping to achieve standards for longer license terms for larger developments,” says Begelfer, noting that the licenses currently granted under the state provision run from 30 to 99 years, too short for developers planning massive projects along Boston’s waterfront.

But because Gov. Mitt Romney’s term as governor will end this year, Begelfer says the panel felt it did not have enough time to develop its recommendations and get them approved by the state. “We felt within the short period of time we had to work on it, it would be difficult to reach a conclusion that would be beneficial.” Begelfer says the group plans to encourage the creation of another study panel under the next administration.