CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Monday, March 10, 2025 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:02 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:59 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
Councilor Jenny Pacillo
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services & Building Commissioner David Horne
Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Katelyn O’Brien
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://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1603823487
Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 160 382 3487 | 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 January 14, 2025. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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. | Communication of Evelyn Darling, Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, transmitting an informational communication titled, “Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Annual Report 2023."
# 9c CC January 23, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with Item #3b.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, who discussed current projects and funding events for the organization.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the creation of the BID and other neighborhood groups.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed cigarette waste and the Out to Lunch event series.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who discussed events held by the organization.
Chairperson Councilor Mero moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3b. | Communication of Evelyn Darling, Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, transmitting an informational communication titled, “Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District FY2019-2022 Progress Report.”
# 14a CC August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a) | |
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| | | 3c. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell – Request Standing Committee on Economic Development consider the feasibility of amending the proposed zoning ordinance amendment relative to accessory dwelling units to allow for said units to be built through special permit only in single family zones.
# 22a CC September 12, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file the item, as the order is inconsistent with legislation passed by the State.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to 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 | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on a request for an amendment to ordinances related to driveways, parking and paving.
# 10.15B CM August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services & Building Commissioner, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed adding the item to the next Economic Development Committee meeting agenda.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
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 | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a List of Residential/Mixed-Use Residential Properties in the City of Worcester Owned by Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).
# 10.30A CM May 7, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services & Building Commissioner and the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item and discussed
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the data reported by the Department of Inspectional Services and Department of Administration and Finance.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Interim Commissioner of Inspectional Services & Building Commissioner, who discussed the number of LLCs and the number of properties owned by LLCs with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning properties owned by Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), including non-taxable properties.
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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning properties owned by Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), including non-taxable properties. | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the feasibility of using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to advance environmental sustainability goals.
# 18a CC November 26, 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 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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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a presentation on the City of Worcester’s Housing Programs.
# 9.4A CM October 17, 2023 | 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 reports concerning the housing production plan and the community preservation plan with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed providing property owners with information concerning the ARPA Flood Insurance Assistance program with the Chief Development Officer.
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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| | | 4e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to Housing & Neighborhood Activities.
# 10a CC March 19, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with Item #4f.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the different numbers with the summary of statistics of affordable units and where rental assistance funding was spent with the Chief Development Officer.
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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| | | 4f. | Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Housing and Neighborhood Activities.
# 9.4C CM September 17, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4f) | |
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