Committee Agenda for Economic Development Committee 03/22/2023

CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:36 P.M.

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

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Sean M. Rose Councilor Khrystian E. King, who arrived at 5:34 P.M. Councilor Sarai Rivera

	Also:	Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn Assistant Chief Development Officer Michelle Smith Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk

Virtual Attendee Call-in Information



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/93387484291 Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 933 8748 4291	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on March 15, 2023.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Zone Change Hearing Items



3a.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Natalie Turner request the city zoning map be amended to rezone the block situated within the borders of Mayfield St., Parker St., Winfield St. and May St. from BG-4 to RL-7. # 10a CC February 7, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item and concerns from the petitioner. The Assistant Chief Development Officer also discussed the differences between city zones BG-4 and RL-7. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who asked the Assistant Chief Development Officer to discuss how the zoning district boundaries would affect commercial properties in the vicinity. The Assistant Chief Development Officer responded to questions raised by Councilor King, including on-street and overnight parking and preservation of the character of the neighborhood. Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request Police Chief expand parking enforcement and parking oversight in the vicinity of Mayfield St., Parker St., Winfield St., and May St. Further, request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the parking challenges in the vicinity of Mayfield St., Parker St., Winifred and May St.” Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers: 1. John Fresolo, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of the item. 2. Chris Senacle, Rutland resident, spoke in opposition of the item. 3. Joel Patel, Hopkinton resident, spoke in opposition of the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose 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.

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief expand parking enforcement and parking oversight in the vicinity of Mayfield St., Parker St., Winfield St., and May St. Further, request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the parking challenges in the vicinity of Mayfield St., Parker St., Winifred and May St.


3b.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Frank Zitomersky request the Zoning Map be amended to change the zoning at 9 Castle St., 5 & 7 Castle St., 4 Castle St., 6 Castle St. and 8 Castle St. from BG-3 to RG-5. # 10b CC February 7, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.


3c.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil, on behalf of Lord St. LLC, request Zoning Map be amended to extend the RG-5 Zoning District, running along and/or parallel to Mason Street, westerly to include, in their entirety, the land situated at: 53 Mason St., 54 Mason St., and 11 Parker St. Said parcels being currently zoned MG-1.0. # 12a CC December 20, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Don O’Neil, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item. 2. Scott Schaeffer Duff, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the Zoning Map in the area and the process for a site review. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who spoke regarding the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval for the item. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).


3d.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of an ordinance to amend the City's Zoning Ordinance relative to adult use marijuana. # 12b CC December 20, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development officer, who discussed the item, specifically the regulations put forth by the Cannabis Control Commission and the recommendation to approve the item, per the Planning Board. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval for the item. Recommend approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).


3e.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request the Zoning Map be amended to include 38 Harlow St. and 24 New St. within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District. # 14b CC December 6, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the item including the importance of mixed use development and the recommendation to approve the item, per the Planning Board. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval for the item. Recommend approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).


3f.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request Article XV, Section 5 of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance be amended to allow the Planning Board to modify certain zoning requirements by special permit for new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District by deleting Subsection D in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “D. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article IV, Section-7, the Planning Board shall be authorized to grant a special permit to modify parking, loading requirements, dimensional requirements for off-street parking and loading areas; landscaping requirements; intensity of use buffer area requirements; layout requirements and number of required spaces for uses permitted in Adaptive Reuse Overlay District (by right or by special permit) pursuant to Section-3 of this Article. This provision shall only apply to Multi-Family Dwelling (low-rise and high-rise) uses (new or existing) and uses in the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District which are located in buildings or structures in existence as of October 22, 2022. Per Article IV, Table 4.4 Notes, the required number of spaces cannot be reduced below (1) space per dwelling unit.” # 14c CC December 6, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to discuss items #3f and #3g collectively. Chairperson Councilor Rose then recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who spoke regarding the item and discussed the Planning Board’s recommendations. Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed the Special Permits process from the Planning Board with the Assistant Chief Development Officer. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval on the items. Recommend approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).


3g.	Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request Article XV, Section 5 of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance be amended to reduce the required minimum number of off-street parking spaces for new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District by deleting Subsection A and Subsection C in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “A. Subject to Subsection 5(C) of this Article XV, for all new buildings and structures, the parking requirements of Table 4.4 of this Ordinance shall apply.” “C. For reuse or substantial restoration of existing buildings or structures within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District and new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings (low-rise and high-rise), the parking requirements of Table 4.4 of this Ordinance shall apply with the following exceptions: 1. All residential parking shall require 1.5 parking spaces for each dwelling unit; and 2. Office, professional/general uses shall require one (1) parking space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area.” # 14d CC December 6, 2022	Attachments

	Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See item #3f)

Communication of the City Manager



4a.	Recommend adoption of a resolution to file an application to designate 274, 284, and 290 Franklin Street; 1, 14, and 23 Hygeia Street; and 25, 33, 38, and 45 Arctic Street as a Certified Project under the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and approve a Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Plan for the properties. # 9.4B CM February 28, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who spoke regarding the item, the Housing Development Incentive Program, and the Tax Increment Exemption Plan. The Chief Development Officer also discussed public private partnerships and the need for affordable housing that utilizes sustainable and green design features. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the following speakers: 1. Brendan Gove, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item. 2. Hal Reader, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed the percentage of the exemption and the scope of the project with the Chief Development Officer, who discussed communications with the project developer, along with previous TIE Plans and HDIP plans. Councilor King then asked about ADA compliance. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval. Recommend approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas, 0 Nays (Rivera absent).