CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:24 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 Sean M Rose | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Acting Fire Chief Martin Dyer
Commissioner of Inspectional Services Christopher Spencer
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 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 join us directly within the location, follow the below link to join via the WebEx application or dial the direct line as indicated. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user you may dial *3. – Phone Number: 415-655-0001, Access Code: 2316 255 3434.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/j.php?MTID=m138daffe098c6dced8b0e1fb707c916b | 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 November 16, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Zone Change Hearing Items | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Fernando Dalfior request that a portion of the premises known and numbered as 300 Southbridge St. and shown on the attached Exhibit A be rezoned to extend the boundaries of the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District (AROD) to include the premises.
# 13a CC October 12, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the proposal to extend the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District at 300 Southbridge St., including the Planning Board’s two to one vote to recommend approval of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. David Cohen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Elena Despotopulos, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Acting Fire Chief, who discussed the current status of the property, including the sprinkler system not being operative at certain times.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Commissioner of Inspectional Services, including safety concerns recognized during various walkthroughs at the property.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed potentially flammable items within the property with the Acting Fire Chief.
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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| | | 3b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald O'Neil request to amend the Zoning Map by changing the zoning of the two parcels of land located at 1 Brattle St. and 7 Brattle St. from RS-7 to BL-1.0.
# 10c CC January 19, 2021
In Committee March 9, 2021 - Held
In Committee April 6, 2021 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the zone change for the land located at 1 Brattle St. and 7 Brattle St.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Donald O’Neil, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Jude McCoy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Bill Gemme. Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
4. Kim McCoy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
5. Bill Blankenship, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of the item
6. Richard Gagne, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the buffer between the potential business and residential properties with the petitioner.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed future steps associated with storm water requirements at the property with the Assistant Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed various outreach provided by the individuals involved with the petition.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved as amended to include an increased buffer zone of a residentially zoned area at 7 Brattle St.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Recommend adoption of an order releasing deed restrictions on the property located at 51 Gage Street.
# 9.4A CM November 9, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the order releasing deed restrictions on the property located at 51 Gage St.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Kaska Yawo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally and Councilor Rose, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson provided a statement that the item would be brought forth as an item reasonably anticipated on the December 7, 2021
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. | Recommend adoption of an ordinance establishing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF).
# 10.4C CM July 20, 2021
In Committee October 26, 2021 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an update concerning a new ordinance that will be brought forth in City Council.
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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