LAND USE COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 5:09 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:02 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councilor Frederick C. Rushton

                             Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.

                             Councilor Michael C. Perotto @ 5:11 p.m.

                             Councilor Barbara G. Haller

 

Also:                     Deputy City Solicitor Michael Traynor

                             Director of Planning Joel Fontane

                             City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

Zoning Ordinance Book

 

1.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of John Shea, Chairman of the Planning Board request to consider the attached Omnibus Zoning Ordinance Amendment.

          #65 CC October 11, 2005

Hearing Held In Committee November 21, 2005 – Recessed

          In Committee December 5, 2006 - Held

In Committee December 7, 2006 – Recessed

 

2.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Planning Board’s June 14, 2005 Omnibus Zoning Ordinance Amendment.

          #10A CM November 22, 2005

In Committee December 5, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

3.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Proposed Zoning Ordinance.

          #27 CC May 3, 2005

In Committee November 21, 2005 – Held

In Committee December 5, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

4.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the recommendation not to adopt the proposed Zoning Ordinance.

          #17A CM May 3, 2005

          In Committee July 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee November 21, 2005 – Held

In Committee December 5, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

5.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the June 14, 2005, Omnibus Zoning Ordinance Amendment petition.

          #24 CC June 28, 2005

In Committee November 21, 2005 – Held

In Committee December 5, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

Reconvened HEARING ITEM –Zoning BOOK Amendment

 

6.       Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of John Shea on behalf of the Planning Board request to amend the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance by adding the following limitation to Article IV Sec. 8 (III) (A): External activities, such as deliveries, noise, etc. shall be prohibited prior to 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M.

#105 CC November 1, 2005     

          Hearing Held In Committee November 21, 2005 – Recessed

Hearing Held In Committee December 5, 2006 – Recessed

Hearing Held In Committee December 7, 2006 - Recessed

 

COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

7.       Relative to the timelines for conducting hearings on proposed zoning ordinance amendments referred to the Land Use Committee.

          #15A CM March 8, 2005

          In Committee July 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee December 5, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

Chairman’s Orders:

1.                 Request the City Manager to request the Director of Planning to recommend alternative language to be included in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance to consider the issues related to the permitting of residential properties abutting private streets.

2.                 Request the City Manager request the Director of Planning to delete the proposed language in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance concerning parking requirements recommended in Table 4.4 in Business zones.

3.                 Request the Mayor’s proposed Ad Hoc Zoning Committee consider Special Permit language which would allow a developer by Special Permit to increase the number of compact vehicle spaces allowed by up to 25%.

4.                 Request the City Manager request the Director of Planning to delete the proposed language in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance concerning jurisdiction over split lots.

5.                 Request the proposed Ad Hoc Zoning Committee consider recommending stricter zoning language that more clearly regulates auto and truck sales and auto and truck servicing and repair.

6.                 Request the City Manager request the Planning Director to delete the recommended change to the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance that is in Article 4, Section 8, Paragraph C, concerning home occupations.

7.                 Request the City Manager request the Planning Director to amend Article 4, Table 4.1 in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance to retain current language concerning nursing homes so that they are not allowed by right in RS-10 zones.

8.                 Request the proposed Ad Hoc Zoning Committee to consider recommending to the City Council that nursing homes in RS-7 zones become a disallowed use rather than an allowed use by Special Permit.

9.                 Request the proposed Ad Hoc Zoning Committee review the terminology of adult day-care and consider recommending more appropriate language in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance that would more clearly define these uses.

10.            Request the City Manager to request the Planning Director to delete language in the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance concerning adult day-care as an allowed general use in all districts.

11.            Request the City Manager request the Planning Director to delete from the Omnibus Zoning Ordinance the January 10, 2006 amendment concerning duplexes.

12.            Request the City Manager request the Planning Director provide the City Council with a report stating the number of instances in which the Zoning Board of Appeals has considered appeals concerning non-conforming uses.