CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:39 P.M. |
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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
Councilor Khrystian E. King, who arrived at 5:08 p.m.
Councilor Sarai Rivera, who participated remotely until her arrival at 5:09 p.m. | | | | | Also: | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Michelle Smith
Chief Sustainability Officer John Odell
Healthy Homes Program Manager Jim Brooks
MA Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Director Joanne Bissetta
MA Department of Energy Resources Engineer Paul Ormond
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ 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 August 23, 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 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a proposed zoning map amendment that would extend the Residential, General - 5.0 (RG-5) zoning district to wholly encompass the property located at 104 Armory Street.
# 15a CC August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 3b. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein, on behalf of Michael O'Rourke, Principal of S&O Realty LLC, request City Council amend Zoning Map by changing the zoning district designation for the property at 12 Jackson St. from MG-2.0 to RG-5.0.
# 11a CC June 13, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Jonathan Finkelstein, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Michael O’Rourke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the residential plans for the property with Speaker #1 and Speaker #2.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 3c. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Dhimitri Lako request the Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of 325 Greenwood St. from ML-0.5 to BL-1.0.
# 11a CC May 23, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Dhimitri Lako, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed planned residential units for the property with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
| 4. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Recommend City Council's review and adoption of the Building Stretch Energy Code and Municipal Opt-In Specialized Code.
# 10.33B CM August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Jason Pincomb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Oliver Chadwick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. David Sullivan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. John Weaver, Sturbridge resident, spoke in opposition to the item
5. Gaylen Moore, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Ted Conna, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
7. David Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
8. Paul Popinchalk, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
9. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
10. Margot Barnett, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Chief Sustainability Officer, who discussed the stretch code and specialized stretch code.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the MA DOER Green Communities Director and the MA DOER Engineer, who provided a presentation on the Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Chief Sustainability Officer, who discussed exemptions for biotechnical buildings.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King and Councilor Rivera, who both spoke concerning 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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| | | 5a. | Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request Standing Committee on Economic Development hold a public meeting to discuss the economic successes and lessons learned during the Worcester Red Sox’s opening season in the city’s Canal District.
# 16f CC May 10, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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