CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, October 15, 2019 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:06 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:29PM |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Susan M. Ledoux | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Councilor Sarai Rivera | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Councilor Morris A. Bergman
Councilor Gary Rosen
Chief Development Officer Michael Traynor
Asst. Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
Asst. Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
City Solicitor David M. Moore
Commissioner of Inspectional Services John Kelley
City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
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| 1. | APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of August 13, 2019. | View Agenda | | | | | | | The Chairperson read the item and moved to adopt. Motion approved on voice vote.
Order adopted | |
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| | | 1b. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of September 3, 2019. | View Agenda | | | | | | | The Chairperson read the item and moved to adopt. Motion approved on voice vote.
Order adopted | |
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| | | 2a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Brendan Gove, President Zero Point Development request zone change for a portion of 222 Brooks St. from MG-0.5 to RL-7.
# 10a CC June 11, 2019
In Committee September 3, 2019 - Hearing Recessed
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item.
The Chair opened the hearing for public comment:
1. Harold Reader, Worcester resident, spoke on behalf of the developer;
2. Carlos Cordeiro, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
3. Ronald Rousseau, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
4. Kate Barnett, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
5. Marie Barnett, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
6. John Page, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
7. Anne Maja Blodgett, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
8. Nancy Cantwell, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
9. Tom Cantwell, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
10. David Connelly, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition;
Most of the concerns spoken were against opening the street to the abutting development; speed of vehicles, safety of children from increased traffic and large truck traffic.
The Chair invited the Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle to give an overview to the committee as to the Planning Boards decision to recommend approval.
The Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended to recessed hearing so notices can be sent to all the residents of Mount Ave. at the next hearing. The Chair also clarified this hearing decides whether or not the property is to be rezoned from manufacturing to residential. - Recommendation approved on a voice vote.
Recomend Hold | |
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| | | 2b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Hugo Asamoah request to extend the BG-3.0 zone to include 40 Ellsworth St. (aka 7 Bigelow St.)
# 8a CC January 15, 2019
In Committee February 26, 2019 - Hearing Recessed
In Committee September 3, 2019 - Hearing Recessed
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item. The Petitioner was present and spoke in favor of his request. The Chair invited the Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle to give an overview to the committee as to the Planning Boards decision to recommend approval. Hearing closed.
Recommend Accepting the Planning Board recommendation and Approve | |
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| | | 2c. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request to amend the Zoning Table of Uses for multi-family dwelling, low rise from SP to N in a RL-7 zone and for single-family attached dwelling from SP to N in a RL-7.
# 14a CC July 17, 2018
In Committee March 19, 2019 - Hearing Recessed
In Committee September 3, 2019 - Hearing Recessed
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommend to recess the hearing (still waiting for additional information) – Recommendation approved on a voice vote.
Hearing Recessed | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil, Esq. on behalf of Worcester Affordable Housing LLC request to amend the Zoning Map by adding 70, 80, 86, 88 and 91 Webster St. to the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District.
# 13a CC September 17, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson reconvened the hearing and read the item. The Chair invited the Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle to give an overview to the committee as to the Planning Boards decision to recommend approval. Hearing closed.
Recommend Accepting the Planning Board recommendation and Approve | |
| 4. | COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an updated Economic Development Report.
# 10.4A CM September 3, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and invited comment from the Assistant Chief Development Officer for Business Development; Mr. Dunn gave an update of the report.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2019 Worcester Construction Workforce Disparity Study.
# 10.36B CM September 3, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and invited comment from the Chief Development Officer; Mr. Traynor gave an overview of the report. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended to File the item - Recommendation approved on a voice vote.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status update concerning 65 Kenwood Ave.
# 8.16A CM June 19, 2018
In Committee June 25, 2019 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson took items #4c & #4d collectively and read the items and invited comment from the City Solicitor; Mr. Moore provide the committee with an update concerning the pending law suit. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recommended to Hold the item - Recommendation approved on a voice vote.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status report on 65 Kenwood Street.
# 10.13A CM August 13, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and at the recommendation of Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle recommended to refer the item to the Planning Board - Recommendation approved on a voice vote.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 4e. | Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to parking and paving in residential front yards.
# 10.15A CM March 12, 2019
In Committee September 3, 2019 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend to refer to Planning Board | |
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| | | 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
| Attachments | | | | | | | The Chair took up the item and Councilor Wally requested to be recused and left the room; Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and invited comment from both the Chief Development Officer Mr. Traynor and Assistant Chief Development Officer Mr. Rolle and they gave an overview of the plans for the park. The Chair invited public comment.
Speakers:
1. Brian Brousseau, representing Worc. Building Trades, spoke in support;
2. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident, spoke in support;
3. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in support.
Chairperson Mero-Carlson and Councilor Rivera both stated this committee supports ensuring the community reap the benefit of shared renewable energy from this project.
Recommend Hold | |
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