CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:02 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:48 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Councilor Sarai Rivera |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Khrystian E King
Councilor Sarai Rivera, who participated in the meeting remotely | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Michelle Smith
Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle
Utile Consultant Zoe Mueller
Deputy City Clerk AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Economic Development Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91026766826
Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 910 2676 6826 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on October 24, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend Approval of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment Relative to Accessory Dwelling Units.
# 10a CC November 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers:
1. Oliver Chadwick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Jake Sydell, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Karin Valentine-Goins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Carl Howell, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the assessment and evaluation process for building construction, whether the utilization of ADUs is more common within multifamily units or single-family units and plans concerning shifting from ARPA funding to other sources with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment relative to accessory dwelling units that includes the suggested language changes from the Planning Board and clarifications from the city’s Law Department, which was outlined in the memo transmitted to Economic Development Committee on November 28th, 2023.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) | |
| 4. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Now | Next Plan.
# 8.4A CM November 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Utile Consultant, who provided a presentation on the Worcester Now | Next Plan.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the needs to do anti-racism work for economic development for the city with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers:
1. Oliver Chadwick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Jacob Sydell, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Karin Valentine-Goins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed cost-analysis and fiscal projection for the project and plans concerning improve traffic and mobility challenges with the Chief Development Officer, the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and the Utile Consultant.
Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed the timeline concerning the housing production plan and requirements for tree protection with the Chief Development Officer and the Utile Consultant.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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