CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, March 9, 2021 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:03 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:27 P.M. |
|
Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
|
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Councilor Gary Rosen
Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Director of Housing and Health Inspections Amanda Wilson
Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services Timothy McInerney
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
| | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
| | | | | |
| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on January 19, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Esther Howland Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 160 872 1475) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef4567e6b347d9bb3220a2db3af09d2e0 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Todd Rodman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3d
2. Thomas Keane, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3d
3. Bill Gemme, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #3b
4. Don O’Neil, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
5. Carl Hultgren, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3b
6. John Licoski, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #4a
7. Kim McCoy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #3b
8. William Blankenship, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #3b
9. Beth Proko, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #4d
| |
| 3. | Zoning/Zone Change Hearing Items | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to Self-Storage Facilities.
# 10a CC January 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the proposed amendment to the ordinance relative to self-storage facilities.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally and Councilor Rose, who both concurred with the changes put forth by the administration.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald O'Neil request to amend the Zoning Map by changing the zoning of the two parcels of land located at 1 Brattle St. and 7 Brattle St. from RS-7 to BL-1.0.
# 10c CC January 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and discussed public outreach completed by the petitioner with their representative.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the notification process for the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the conversations he had with the abutters relative to the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed expectations of purchasing property in a residential area.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the need to facilitate residents’ concerns being addressed.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3c. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Wayne Barry request to rezone that portion of the Premises known as and numbered 1451 Grafton St. and shown on the attached Exhibit A from BL-1.0 Zoning District to MG-0.5 Zoning District.
# 10b CC January 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3d. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Todd Rodman, Esq. on behalf of Churchhill James, LLC request to change the underlying zoning classification for said parcels from Business, General (BG-4.0) to Business, General (BG-6.0): 85 Green St., 89 Green St., 99 Green St., 103 Green St., 2 Plymouth St., 5 Gold St., 7 Gold St. and 62 Washington St.
# 14a CC February 9, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the outreach completed by Churchill James, LLC during the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report as to status and condition of 18 Palisades Street.
# 9.16A CM November 12, 2019
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee May 12, 2020 - Held
In Committee September 8, 202 - Held
In Committee October 27, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Director of Housing and Health Inspections, who discussed the amount of complaints received relative to the property and the current contempt case associated with the property.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally and Councilor Rose, who both discussed the issues associated with the property.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed potential outcomes with the next court hearing relative to the property.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status update concerning 65 Kenwood Ave.
# 8.16A CM June 19, 2018
In Committee June 25, 2019 - Held
In Committee October 15, 2019 - Held
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee March 2, 2020 - Held
In Committee April 7, 2020 - Held
In Committee October 27, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to take the item up collectively with item #4c, #4d, #4e and #5a.
Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be placed on hold.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status report on 65 Kenwood Avenue.
# 10.13A CM August 13, 2019
In Committee October 15, 2019 - Held
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee March 2, 2020 - Held
In Committee April 7, 2020 - Held
In Committee October 27, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see item #4b) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the regulations applicable to the operation of private social clubs.
# 8.13G CM November 10, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see item #4b) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to outdoor dining.
# 11.4A CM September 8, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see item #4b) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5a. | Order Councilor Konsantina B. Lukes and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager make recommendations regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, including but not limited to solar energy, green living roofs, electric motor vehicle charging stations, in the design of Polar Ball Park and the Madison Properties Project and as a condition of any TIF or other tax incentives.
# 9d CC October 16, 2018
In Committee June 25, 2019 - Held
In Committee October 15, 2019 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see item #4b) | |
|