LAND USE COMMITTEE

MARCH 21, 2005

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:00 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:49 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councillor Michael C. Perotto

                             Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.

                             Councillor Frederick C. Rushton @ 6:15 p.m.

 

Also:                     Director of Planning Joel Fontane

                             Director Neighborhood Services Dennis Hennessy

                             Director of Housing Scott Hayman

                             City Treasurer Thomas Zidelis

                             City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

RECESSED HEARINGS

 

1.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone requesting to change the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester from MG-2 to BG-2 by extending the BG-2 zone from the northerly side of Ballard St. to the southerly side of Ballard St.  

          #14 CC January 11, 2005

In Committee January 24, 2005 – Hearing recessed

Recommend Accept Recommendation and Approval of Petition

 

Denis P. Dowdle, Resident Agent for Madison Worcester Holdings LLC, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 433, Boston, appeared and spoke briefly about the proposed development that might occur with the requested zone change.

 

Speakers:

1.     Jane Petrella, 245 Greenwood Street, Worcester

2.     Michael Keating, 2 Elman Road, Worcester

3.     Susan Kiely, 25 Gibbs Street, Worcester

4.     Jack Donahue, 11 Butler Street, Worcester

5.     Marge Bequiri, 7 Victoria Avenue, Worcester

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager communicate with Madison Worcester Holdings LLC to work together towards relocating existing tenants at 40-180 Ballard Street to other properties within the City of Worcester.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Planning Board consider implementing changes in the Zoning Ordinance that would regulate the hours at retail establishments.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the appropriate City Board or Department to investigate a possible violation of lighting regulations at property recently developed at the corner of Millbury Street and Providence Street because it abuts residential properties.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager to consider entering into a legally binding agreement that guarantees public accessibility onto and across an area of property known as 40-180 Ballard Street; said access would be for the express purpose of allowing recreational use along the extended portion of the bicycle/walking path along the Blackstone River/Canal.

 

2.       Communication of the City Manager relative to Ballard Street Area Rezoning Assessment Report.

          #17A CM January 11, 2005

In Committee January 24, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

3.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the assessed values of properties located at 40-180 Ballard Street.

          #4A CM March 1, 2005

Recommend File

 

4.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Councillor Philip

Palmieri requesting that the Zoning Ordinance be amended as follows: To amend Table 4.1, Business Uses so that in a BG-2.0 district the uses listed in line 8 be allowed only by Special Permit and not by right.

#73 CC November 26, 2002

In Committee September 20, 2004 - Held

In Committee January 24, 2005 – Hearing recessed

Recommend Accept the Report of the Planning Board and Grant the Petitioner Leave to Withdraw (see letter)

 

HEARING

 

5.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone requesting to change the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester from ML-05 and RS-7 to BL-1 by extending the BL-1 zone from Grafton St. westerly exit to Rte. 20, Southwest Cutoff.  

          #46 CC February 1, 2005

Recommend Accept the Report of the Planning Board and Approve the Petition as amended to extend the ten (10) foot buffer along the entire lot line easterly to the Route 20 on-ramp.

 

6.       Communication of the City Manager relative to a proposed zone change in the vicinity of Saybrook Rd. and Southwest Cutoff.

          #17A CM March 1, 2005

Recommend File

 

TAX TITLE PROPERTIES

 

7.       Communication of the City Manager relative to transferring jurisdiction of the twenty seven (27) surplus tax title properties from Neighborhood Services to the City Treasurer’s Office.

          #17B CM March 1, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the City Treasurer to report to the City Council whether any additional opportunities have arisen for the sale of any of the twenty-seven (27) surplus tax title properties listed in the Communication of the City Manager dated March 1, 2005.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report on the final disposition of the twenty-seven (27) surplus tax title properties offered in an RFP in the Spring of 2005.

 

8.       Communication of the City Manager relative to GIS Location Maps of the twenty seven (27) surplus tax title properties.

          #17A CM March 8, 2005

Recommend Hold

 

9.       Communication of the City Manager requesting City Council review, consider and adopt an order requesting the Transfer of Jurisdiction of Land for seven (7) parcels of land.

          #26A CM March 1, 2005

Recommend Approval