CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 4:32 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:45 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Jenny Pacillo | | Councilor Kathleen M Toomey |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Councilor Jenny Pacillo
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Paul Morano
Program and Compliance Manager Victoria Porteiro-Cejas
Assistant Chief Development Officer Michelle Smith
Deputy City Clerk Stephen 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.If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
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 September 24, 2024. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote of adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 3. | Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Item | |
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| | | 3a. | Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of the designation of an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Program Zone and Approval of a UCH-TIF Plan for 34-46 Lakeside Avenue.
# 10.4D CM August 27, 2024
In Committee September 5, 2024 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the required legal notice timeframe for 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 | |
| 4. | Zone Change Hearing Items | |
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| | | 4a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Kim Vong request Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of 55 Benefit Street from MG-2 to RG-5.
# 14a CC September 10, 2024 | 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 | |
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| | | 4b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Joshua Lee Smith, on behalf of Sahil Properties LLC, request Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the property located at 66 Southgate St. and 91 Canterbury St. from RG-5 to BL-1.0
# 14b CC September 10, 2024 | 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 | |
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| | | 5a. | Communication of Paul Matthews, Executive Director and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting, "Appreciating the Value of Commercial Properties: The Significance of Commercial Real Estate."
# 15a CC May 7, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and 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 | |
| 6. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 6a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Community Preservation Program.
# 11.4A CM October 15, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed funding for rehabilitative restore housing with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the needs to review older historic properties for repairs.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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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| | | 6b. | Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Semi-Annual TIF/TIE Reporting.
# 9.4B CM September 17, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the TIF agreement relative to Washington Square Hotel and updates concerning WuXi Biologics.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed diversity workforce compliance goals for the projects and efforts to meet the goal relative to women in the workforce for the projects with the Chief Development Officer, the Program and Compliance Manager and the Assistant Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who discussed whether the city is working with WPS to increase the number of female workers and the apprenticeship goals with the Program and Compliance Manager and the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the Revington Apartments project with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning compliance monitoring relative to the Revington Apartments project; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the city’s policies regarding Tax Increment Exemption and Financing (TIE, TIF) projects being out of compliance.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning compliance monitoring relative to the Revington Apartments project | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the city’s policies regarding Tax Increment Exemption and Financing (TIE, TIF) projects being out of compliance. | |
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| | | 6c. | Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Economic Development Initiatives.
# 9.4D CM September 17, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the ADUs and the needs for pedestrian accessibility to increase retail activities with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Order: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any updates needed relative to the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinances and regulations; and 2) Request City Manager work with local businesses to explore the feasibility of closing streets for events in the city.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any updates needed relative to the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinances and regulations. | | | | Request City Manager work with local businesses to explore the feasibility of closing streets for events in the city. | |
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