The City Council meeting is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The agenda is here.
This week: Rental Registry, tax breaks, zoning.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
Stopping Bus Announcements: David Pederson wants the WRTA to stop the bus announcement “at the bus stops in front of 81 and 82 Elm St.” I’ve heard the announcements at a nearby stop from a nearby apartment, they are pretty loud and start surprisingly early and end surprisingly late.
Ending the Rental Property Registry: There’s a citizen request that the Manager pause the Rental Registry and Inspection Program and hold a series of hearings about it.
Boards and Commissions: The Manager has appointed Ted Biba to the Elder Affairs Commission and Mallory Shelly to the Trust Funds Commission. The Council will vote whether to approve the appointment of Kate McGrath to the Accessibility Advisory Committee and John Longhi to the Commission for the Preservation of Historic Artifacts, Relics & Military Memorials.
Tax Breaks for 18-20 Franklin Street: The city supported the redevelopment of the old T&G building with a 20-year Tax Increment Financing deal, with a 100% exemption on incremental taxes for the first 10 years, and a 0% exemption during the second. The Worcester Business Development Corporation, which did the redevelopment and rents the space at below market rate to arts organizations and small businesses, would like to change the deal to a 50% exemption for the final 10 years. It’s estimated this tax break would be about $67,000 per year.
Private Streets: There’s a report listing Worcester’s private streets. “There are currently 851 private streets in the City with a total length of … 79 miles.”
St. George Forest: The Council is asked for final approval of the Manager’s plan to buy 14 acres of “currently undisturbed” forest adjacent to St. George Church and grant a conservation restriction to the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
Zoning: The Council will vote on the following proposals, which have worked their way through various committees and boards.
12 Jackson Street: There’s a request to rezone this property from dense general manufacturing to general residential. It is currently a 2-family house.
4-9 Castle Street: There’s a request to rezone these long-time residences from business to residential.
0 Grafton Street: There’s a request to rezone this from a mix of general business/residential/limited business to all general business.
104 Armory Street: The city administration would like to rezone this city-owned property from limited business to general residential. The plan is to find a developer “to develop the property into three, owner-occupied affordable housing units.”
440-474 Grove Street: There’s a request to rezone these to 3-story business from a mix of business and residential.
Parking: The Council is asked for final approval of an ordinance prohibiting parking on both sides of Amanola Street.