CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Wednesday, June 8, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:30 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:27 PM |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Councilor Sarai Rivera |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Vice Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E King
Councilor Sarai Rivera, who participated in the meeting remotely | | | | | Also: | Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. 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.
Economic Development Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91026766826
Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 910 2676 6826 | 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 March 8, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the order. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 3. | Zone Change Hearing Items | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Nick Lewis request the property located at 110 Webster St. be included in the adaptive re-use overlay district to allow for multi-unit residential development.
# 16a CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold 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 Marcelo Barreto and Donald Fair request the Zoning Map be amended by changing a small portion of 11 Prudence St. from RL-7 to MG-0.5, as shown in accompanying map.
# 16b CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview relative to the proposed zone change.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers:
1. Donald Fehr, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose 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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| | | 3c. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil request the Zoning Map be amended by extending the BL-1.0 zone line running along the rear property line of the land located at 1369 Grafton St. northeasterly to incorporate the abutting parcel of land located at 3 McAvey Way (MBL 41-027-61+62) presently zoned ML-0.5 in its entirety.
# 16c CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview relative to the proposed zone change.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers:
1. Donald O’Neil, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Tony Russell, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose 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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| | | 3d. | Report of the Committee on Economic Development Upon the 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.
# 11e CC February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Donald O’Neil, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Bill Gemme. Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the building not being demolished
3. Alex Guardiola, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed reviewing the plans proposed by the petitioner.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed any alterations made relative to the entrance and exit of the property with the petitioner.
Chairperson Councilor Rose expressed gratitude for compromise being made as it relates to the rezoning of the property.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the depth of compromise associated with the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed appreciating the communication between all parties associated with the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval as amended for the reduced zone.
Recommend Approval as Amended 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 Economic Development Initiatives.
# 9.4A CM March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and 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 semi annual TIF/TIE reporting.
# 9.4C CM March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the report made relative to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) properties within the city.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers:
1. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in relation to the Plumb House Project
2. Bridgette Quinn, Worcester resident, spoke in relation to the Plumb House Project
3. Dan Mulcahey, no residence given, spoke in relation to the Plumb House Project
4. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in relation to the Plumb House Project
Chairperson Councilor Rose discussed expectations around the reporting of properties under TIF/TIE policies, the instances when TIF/TIE policies can be utilized by developers and the process for terminating a TIF/TIE agreement with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose brough forth the following Chairman's Order: Request City Manager explore amending the city's TIF and TIE policy to include penalties and fines for failing to reach compliance once the TIF/TIE recipients reach a certain percentage of completion on the project.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the notification process for the item, the process the administration uses to track projects with TIFs and TIEs, the City Council’s involvement in amending or terminating a TIF or TIE and whether there is a position dedicated to ensuring TIF/TIE compliance with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman's Order: Request Standing Committee on Economic Development hold a meeting with the stakeholders from Madison WG Holdings and the Plumb House Project to discuss compliance with their TIF/TIE policy.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed whether Madison WG Holdings has communicated with the city relative to increasing their compliance and the lack of required paperwork filed with the city relative to said project with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman's Resolution: That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby affirm its expectations, along with residents’ expectations, for compliance with the city’s TIF and TIE policies.
Chairperson Councilor Rose 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 explore amending the city's TIF and TIE policy to include penalties and fines for failing to reach compliance once the TIF/TIE recipients reach a certain percentage of completion on the project. | | | | Request Standing Committee on Economic Development hold a meeting with the stakeholders from Madison WG Holdings and the Plumb House Project to discuss compliance with their TIF/TIE policy. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Resolutions | | | | That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby affirm its expectations, along with residents’ expectations, for compliance with the city’s TIF and TIE policies. | |
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