CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:11 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:32 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Susan M. Ledoux

Committee Members

Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Matthew E Wally
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor Sarai Rivera Councilor Matthew E Wally
 
Also:Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle; Assistant Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn; City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
 
1.

Zone Change Hearings

1a.

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request to amend the Zoning Table of Uses for multi-family dwelling, low rise from SP to N in a RL-7 zone and for single-family attached dwelling from SP to N in a RL-7. # 14a CC July 17, 2018

In Committee March 19, 2019 - Hearing Recessed

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item. The Chair invited comment from the Administration.

Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle gave an overview to the committee as to the Planning Board's decision to recommend approval with a modification to establish a limit on the number of multi-family low-rise and single-family attached dwelling units allowed on a parcel rather than an outright ban on these uses. Also the Board recommended City Council determine the appropriate limit on the maximum number of permissible units.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Russell and invited him to make comments. Councilor Russell voiced his concerns and recommended a limit on the maximum number of permissible units be six (6).

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson supported Councilor Russell’s recommendation but wanted to offer a Chairman’s Order before making any decision (See below)

The Chair opened the hearing for public comment however no persons were present to make comments.

The Chair invited Councilors Rivera and Wally to comment.

Councilor Wally offered a Chairman’s Order (See below):

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recessed the hearing and recommended to hold the item until additional information is provided. Recommendation was approved on a voice vote.

Hearing was Recessed

Recommend approval of the two (2) Chairman’s Order

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request the Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a report as to how often in the last three (3) years has a petitioner filed an application for zoning relief for building multi-family dwelling low rises and single-family attached dwellings in a RL-7 zone and report how many times this request has been allowed, denied and given leave to withdraw.

Request City Manager request the Chief Development Officer provide to City Council with reasons for supporting different cap recommendations for limiting the number of units when building multi-family dwelling low rises and single-family attached dwellings in a RL-7 zone which would be used to assist in making a thoughtful decision.

1b.

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil, Esq. on behalf of Gold Star Builders Inc. request to amend Zoning Map in the general vicinity of the intersection of Grand St. and Armory St. by extending the BL-1.0 zone northeasterly across Grand St. to incorporate two parcels of land located at 169 and 179 Grand St. # 8b CC January 15, 2019

In Committee February 26, 2019 - Hearing Recessed

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item.

The Chair opened the hearing for public comment. The first speaker was Attorney Donald J. O’Neil who informed the committee that he and his client (the petitioner Tony Nguyen, who was present) were at a community meeting at the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Center to discuss this zone change request. As a result of the meeting his client committed to installing a fence along Carson Court. Attorney O’Neil provided the minutes of that meeting to the committee.

The second and third speakers were Ray Polito and his son Ray Polito, Jr. who both spoke in opposition of the zone change and concerns regarding parking and stated there is no city oversight to violations taking place. They also disagreed at to the height of the fence.

The Chair invited comment from the Administration. Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle gave an overview to the committee as to the Planning Board's decision to recommend approval having found the proposed zoning change is consistent and compatible with other uses in the area and the character of the neighborhood.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended approval of the zone change and moved for a roll call vote.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and No Nays.

1c.

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Hugo Asamoah request to extend the BG-3.0 zone to include 40 Ellsworth St. (aka 7 Bigelow St.) # 8a CC January 15, 2019

In Committee February 26, 2019 - Hearing Recessed

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item. The Petitioner, Hugo Asamoah, was not present so the Chair moved to recommend recessing the hearing and make one more attempt to contact the petitioner to give him an opportunity to have this petition be heard. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Hearing was Recessed

1d.

Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Brendan Gove, President Zero Point Development request zone change for a portion of 222 Brooks St. from MG-0.5 to RL-7. # 10a CC June 11, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson convened the hearing and read the item. The Chair invited comment from the Administration.

Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle gave an overview to the committee as to the Planning Board's decision to recommend approval of the proposed zoning map amendment.

The Chair opened the hearing for public comment.

The following persons were present and spoke:

1. Harold Reader, representing the petitioner, in favor of approval
2. Lois Borget, Worcester resident, opposed to the petition
3. Ann Blodgett, Worcester resident, opposed to the petition
4. David Connelly, Worcester resident, opposed to the petition

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended the Petitioner and its representatives meet with the abutters to discuss this development and work with them to find a resolution.

The Chair recommended to recess the hearing and Recommended to Hold the item until after a community meeting takes place. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Hearing was Recessed

2.

Communications of the City Manager

2a.

Recommend adoption of a Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to parking and paving in residential front yards. # 10.15A CC March 12, 2019

Attachments

The Chair recommended holding the item to the next meeting due to the lack of time to discuss item. Recommendation approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold

2b.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to designate 205 Summer Street as a Certified Project and approve a Tax Increment Exemption Plan. # 10.4A CC July 23, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and invited comment from the Administration.

Assistant Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn gave an overview of the project.

The Chair opened the discussion to the public. Attorney Mark Bornstein (representative of the developer) spoke in favor of the project and provided materials to the committee.

The Chair invited Councilors Rivera and Wally to pose questions to Attorney Bornstein.

Developer plans on placing a plaque to commemorate the African American community and emphasize the history of the building and its community.

The Chair strongly requests using Worcester residents on the project.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended approval to designate 205 Summer Street as a Certified Project and approve a Tax Increment Exemption Plan and moved for a roll call vote.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and No Nays