CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Thursday, September 5, 2024 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 4:36 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:54 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 Jenny Pacillo | | Councilor Kathleen M Toomey |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Jenny Pacillo
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Paul Morano
Program and Compliance Manager Victoria Porteiro-Cejas
Deputy City Clerk Clare Robbins, 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.If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
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 |
| 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 6, 2024. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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 | |
| 3. | Certified Project Hearings | |
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| | | 3a. | Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of an amendment to the Tax Increment Exemption Agreement Relative to 340 Main Street.
# 10.4C CM August 27, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided the overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed how long the building has been empty and whether the Responsible Development ordinance is applicable to the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor in opposition to the item
2. Darnell Dunn, Welfar resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Craig Blais, Auburn resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed requirements for the project developers as set by the updated TIF/TIE ordinance and whether the developer for the project is in compliance with said requirements.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer ensure developers attend Economic Development Committee meetings when their items brought forward for Certified Project hearings.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed how the issues concerning the Hemans Street project were addressed and when the SMC Management Corp. will have a meeting with the Jobs Funds with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the timeline relative to meetings with the SMC Management Corp.
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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer ensure developers attend Economic Development Committee meetings when their items brought forward for Certified Project hearings. | |
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| | | 3b. | Communication of the City Manage recommend adoption of the designation of an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Program Zone and Approval of a UCH-TIF Plan for 34-46 Lakeside Avenue.
# 10.4D CM August 27, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided the overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Darnell Dunn, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Tremont Development Partners LLC Representative, who provided a presentation concerning the development plan for 34-46 Lakeside Ave.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the motions and advertisement requirements relative to the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Semi-annual Tax Increment Financing / Tax Increment Exemption Report for the period ending December 31, 2023.
# 11.4C CM March 12, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with Item #4b.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Development Officer and the Program and Compliance Manager, who provided the overview of the item.
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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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the semi-annual TIF/TIE reporting for period ending on June 30, 2023.
# 11.4E CM September 12, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a) | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on Economic Development Initiatives.
# 11.4A CM March 12, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided the overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the differences between the ADU ordinance adopted by the City Council and the ADU ordinance by the State with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed building codes across the country and their impact on ADUs with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Pacillo, who discussed consultant services relative to ADUS.
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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