Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
3 items of legislation were taken up.
- 1 accepted
- 1 recommended to be approved
- 1 kept in committee
Agenda 3 items
Notices from the agenda
The meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Burnley at 6:00 PM and adjourned at 6:27 PM on a roll call vote of 2 in favor (Mbah, Burnley) 0 opposed, and 1 absent.
(Posted online: 10/10/24 at 6:15 PM) Original (Posted online: 10/21/24 at 8:45 AM) Revised
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
Roll Call
-
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of June 26, 2024.
Roll call: 2 aye · 1 absent
- Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAbsent
- 2. Public Hearings
-
2.1.
New Garage License, Building 2 Owner LLC, 808 Windsor St, 242 vehicles inside, 0 vehicles outside for storing vehicles only, 7 days a week 24 hours.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Chair Burnley opened the public hearing.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1 Jake Tucci, Legget McCall, representing the applicant, stated that this is a 242 vehicle commercial parking garage that \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760 will be open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. \cf0\par There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1 Councilor Mbah asked for confirmation that the Ward Councilor was supportive. The applicant confirmed that he completed a Mobility Management Plan with the city, part of which was for the garage to be open around the clock. The garage is not dedicated to the building, but open to the public at large. \par Chair Burnley reminded the applicant that this is a recommendation, and requires a vote from the City Council, which will take place tomorrow. He noted that the applicant should not conduct business until the license is received. \par \par \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\cf0\par }
Roll call: 2 aye · 1 absent
- Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAbsent
-
3.
Renewing Garage License, Dewire Family Trust, 141 Beacon Street.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Licensing Operations Manager Michael Potere relayed that the applicant was unable to attend. Mr. Potere \cf0\f1\fs20 shared a \cf1\f0\fs24 brief history of the business, which has been continually operating as a commercial garage since about 1940. \par Chair Burnley shared that the Council attempted to discuss licenses from this entity several times and were not able to get in touch with the owner. There have been concerns from the community about this application. \par Councilor Mbah asked about any ticket history and Manager Potere confirmed that he did not locate any tickets. Mr. Potere also confirmed that his understanding is that the vehicles stored here are long-term leases, and the garage is not staffed. \par Chair Burnley noted that there is a pattern of garages by this applicant that have raised public concerns due to neglect and cleanliness. He also inquired about the impact to the business if the Committee does not take action. Mr. Potere clarified that there would be no adverse impact to the business if the Committee kept this in committee for further discussion. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f2 \par \pard\par \par \par }