CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:40 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:25 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Chairperson Frederick C Rushton
Councilor Joseph C O'Brien
Councilor George J Russell
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Frederick C Rushton Councilor Joseph C O'Brien Councilor George J Russell
 
Also:Director of Economic Development Timothy J. McGourthy Director of Housing Miguel Rivera Acting Director of Planning Luba Zhaurova City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk
 
1.

Zone Change Hearing

1a.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Arthur Mooradian requesting to amend the Worcester Zoning Ordinance by converting all RG-5 lots to RG-4 so that lots between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet become buildable/saleable. # 15c CC October 15, 2013

Attachments

Speakers:
1. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
2. Jacqueline Norton, Worcester resident
3. Arthur Mooradian, Worcester resident
4. Scott Ricker, Worcester resident
5. Stuart Loosemore, Leicester resident (written comments attached)

Hearing was recessed and item was recommended to be held until December 10, 2013 at 5:30 P.M. in the Esther Howland Chamber

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request City Assessor report to the City Council the approximate value of vacant lots in RG-5 zones, 4,000 to 5,000 square feet in size as unbuildable as stand-alone lots and compare that to the proposed valuations on those same lots if they are deemed buildable under the proposal to establish a 4,000 square foot minimum (RG-4 zone) for a single family dwelling in the RG-5 zones.

Request City Manager provide City Council with proposed wording amending the Zoning Ordinance that would protect non-profits and/or community groups who own and use vacant lots between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet in the event that such lots become buildable under the proposal to encourage single-family buildings on vacant lots (RG-4 zones).

Request City Manager to recommend to City Council three or four areas of the city to be designated as pilot RG-4 zones.

2.

Miscellaneous

2a.

Petition of Arthur Mooradian request City of Worcester initiate a policy that a "For Sale" sign with contact information be erected on city-owned surplus property for at least 30 days before an auction or sale takes place. # 9cc CC July 16, 2013

Attachments

Recommend Report and adoption of the accompanying new Order that the City Manager is requested to identify approximately $4,000.00 in funding for advertising city-owned properties that are for sale.

2b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Number of Lots That Would be Affected if All RG-5 Lots Were Converted to RG-4 Lots. # 8.23B CM November 12, 2013

Attachments

Recommend Hold for December 10, 2013 Committee Meeting