Everett City Council
Monday November 27, 2023
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
Item 18
At a public hearing discussed by Everett City Council, Councilor Michael Marchese presented a petition for a new open-air parking license for Quick Auto Center Corp at 39 Line Street. Patricia Rocha, speaking on behalf of owner Luciano Quintanilla, explained the necessity for a second location to store vehicles towed from private contracts, estimating an average of 15-20 cars would be stored at a time, primarily for a day or two. Concerns were raised by council members about the number of cars stored, potential overlap with local fire department regulations, and the suitability of another towing operation in an area undergoing development with hotels and restaurants. Wayne A. Matewsky questioned the impact on the neighborhood, expressing opposition due to the city's changing landscape, especially with recent development projects like a $3 billion casino. Ultimately, the discussion was slated to continue in a business and community development committee meeting, with assurances of compliance and further clarification on the operation and its impact on the community.
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Public Participatiopn
Residents at the public hearing voiced diverse concerns and suggestions regarding city initiatives and governance. Janice Locke questioned the logic behind a grant from National Grid for hiring a bilingual outreach representative, highlighting the need for clarity on the role's sustainability and funding beyond the initial grant. She also took the time to appreciate the efforts of a city council member for his representation. Peggy Serino expressed frustration over insufficient information provided on agenda items, emphasizing the need for transportation solutions for the elderly, questioning the transparency and reasoning behind tree planting, charging stations, and food assistance programs, and critiquing the allocation and effectiveness of city spending on beautification projects and board appointments. Paula Sterite raised questions about the impact of city council votes on commercial development and emphasized the importance of maintaining mature trees, cleaning streets, and scrutinizing the productivity and necessity of board appointments and their financial implications. Concerns about dangerous traffic conditions, particularly regarding speed bumps and motor scooters, were shared, alongside disapproval of city priorities reflected in funding allocations, specifically citing the lack of elderly transportation services. Speakers also called for accountability and action on longstanding issues before the council's term ends, and urgent attention towards street safety, parking woes, and the rat problem exacerbated by new developments. Additionally, comments criticized a dismissive attitude towards public participation and stressed the significance of constructive civic engagement and the need for comprehensive urban management and community support.
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Item 35
At a city council meeting, National Grid requested permission to install a gas main on Boston Street, responding to previous inquiries for additional information. While addressing the council, Rhian Kelly from National Grid clarified a mix-up regarding utility contractors from a prior meeting and attempted to focus the discussion on the new installation project. Council member John F. Hanlon expressed ongoing concerns about previous work done by National Grid on Broadway, emphasizing the poor condition of the streets following utility work and insisting that contractors be present for such discussions to ensure accountability for the street conditions. Kelly explained the complexities of the Broadway project, involving difficult elements like concrete cobbles and old trolley tracks, and mentioned efforts to coordinate with the city engineer for a satisfactory outcome. Despite assurances, Hanlon remained skeptical of National Grid's commitment to city improvements, expressing dissatisfaction with the company's historical performance and reluctance to support their new request.
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Items 1-5, & 11
In a recent city council discussion, Councilor Michael Marchese proposed several grants aiming to enhance the community's environmental and social well-being. These included funds for hiring a part-time bilingual outreach representative to assist with utility support and energy efficiency, technical assistance for transforming buildings into energy-efficient spaces, purchasing trees to cool urban heat islands, acquiring electric vehicle charging stations, supporting older adults, and decorating the city with donated holiday decorations. Questions were raised about the specifics of hiring for the grant-funded positions, the use and management of the funds, the incorporation of these temporary roles into future budgets, and the maintenance of newly planted trees. Matthew Lattanzi, Director of Planning and Development, clarified the city's intentions with the grants, emphasizing the importance of community partnership and the city's approach to addressing the needs of non-English speakers and vulnerable populations through these initiatives. The council discussed the importance of planning for the future with these grants and requested quarterly reports on the expenditure and progress of each grant to ensure effective use of the funds.
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Item 19
Cornelio introduced item number 19, presented by Councilor Michael Marchese, regarding a petition requesting a new mechanical auto body repair license for Toro Mechanic at 39 Garden Street, noting that the property already had an existing licensee. The discussion clarified that this process involves a transfer of licenses to a new operator. Smith suggested, as is customary with new licensees, that this petition be brought before the community and business development groups for introduction, with a meeting already scheduled for December 11th at 6 PM. Marchese inquired about the necessity of referring this to community development.
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Item 26
The public hearing discussed amending a zoning ordinance to allow kennels, pet daycare, veterinary, and pet grooming establishments in the lower Broadway residential multiple-family subdistrict. This amendment was proposed due to interest in establishing such a business in a large brick building previously occupied by a tech company. Concerns were raised about changing zoning in a residential area to allow kennels, suggesting rezoning to commercial instead for appropriateness. Further, discussions included the potential traffic impact from surrounding communities due to increased vehicle presence and considerations regarding the scale of business operations, with suggestions to limit the number of licenses issued. Additionally, the importance of a detailed planning and approval process was emphasized, including special permits and adherence to city and zoning board regulations to ensure any developments are appropriate and well-regulated. Concerns about setting a precedent for rezoning and its implications on city planning, especially near major developments like a casino, were also discussed, highlighting the need for comprehensive zoning review and strategic planning to address traffic and community impact.
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Item 27 & 28
During a city council meeting, Item numbers 27 and 28, both presented by Councilor Michael Marchese and focused on amending short-term rental regulations and licenses, were discussed. David Flood, a legislative research system specialist, thanked the committee for accommodating his amendments amid his scheduling limitations and highlighted discrepancies in the adoption of his proposed changes. He clarified amendments to enhance the clarity and consistency of the ordinance language regarding the definition and administration of short-term rentals. These included specifying the sections being amended, changing 'director of inspection services' to 'building commissioner' for consistency, and avoiding duplicate information on the operators’ local contact requirements. The discussion also touched upon the operational implications for short-term rentals, including registration requirements, enforcement measures against unregistered operations, occupancy conditions, and zoning implications. The council debated over the supervision of short-term rentals, the practicality of enforcing maximum stay durations, and monitoring compliance. Amendments proposed by Flood were accepted, but procedural clarity was sought on incorporating multiple sets of amendments before taking favorable action on the legislation.
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Item 29
During the public hearing, the discussion focused on amending Section 33 of the Everett zoning ordinances regarding the commercial triangle, as introduced by Councilor Michael Marchese. Health Director of Planning and Development, Mr. Lattanzi, confirmed the location of the commercial triangle and explained the necessity of rezoning to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. The existing zoning allows for mixed-use development, which does not meet state requirements demanding residential development by right. The amendment aims to adjust the zoning to permit residential buildings up to three stories by right, contrasting with the current allowance for seven-story mixed-use developments, to both comply with state law and encourage mixed-use developments by offering greater height allowances. Questions were raised about advocating to the state for recognition of mixed-use developments as beneficial for communities, with Mr. Lattanzi highlighting the challenges faced due to broad state laws and the need for Everett's zoning to conform to these laws despite its success in housing production through mixed-use projects. The conversation also touched on specific areas in the city and their zoning designations.
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Item 30
Item number 30 pertains to an unfinished business discussion, wherein Councilor Vivian Nguyen has proposed a resolution for considering the allocation of funds to study the public transportation needs of underserved community members. During the meeting, Councilor Nguyen requested the administration provide a written update on this matter within two weeks, aiming to enhance transportation planning and address gaps in current services.
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Item 32
During the discussion, Councilor Michael Marchese was designated as president to address Item 32, aiming to rectify inconsistencies between the driveway construction ordinance and the loud noise ordinance. The revision proposed would standardize prohibited noise times, changing the quiet hours to start at 7 PM instead of 9 PM and emphasizing no construction work on Sundays, ensuring uniformity across both ordinances. The inquiry about the inclusion of automobiles within the ordinance's scope was affirmed, and the changes were met with approval for ensuring that both ordinances align in terms of regulations on noise and construction activities.
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Item 33
In the discussed public hearing, Councilors Stephanie Martins and Vivian Nguyen advocated for an update from the licensing commission regarding a public hearing on the alcohol nip ban ordinance, leading to a motion by Nguyen to postpone the item to the next meeting due to awaiting further information. Another resolution, proposed by Councilor Darren Costa, aimed at considering a beautification program for small businesses, was acknowledged. It was revealed that the resolution had been referred to the administration and planning department for a response by the second meeting in November. However, Cornelio noted the absence of any response from the department, prompting Costa to motion for the item to be returned to the sponsor and placed on file.
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Item 36
At the public hearing, Councilor Darren Costa introduced a resolution requesting the expansion of overnight parking enforcement and motioned to add Councilor Stephanie Smith to the item. He highlighted the problem of commercial vehicles from neighboring cities using Everett for overnight parking, taking up excessive space and not being deterred by the current $25 tickets. Costa suggested increasing ticket fines to $50 to match those of surrounding cities and to deter such behavior effectively. He urged referring this matter to the traffic commission to consider it as part of the city's revenue plan, highlighting the potential for increased collections from parking enforcement and the need for additional resources for nighttime enforcement. Councilor Marchese supported the proposal, agreeing that parking fees are too low and advocating for using increased revenue to hire more parking enforcement personnel.
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Item 37
At a public meeting, Councilor Darren Costa presented a resolution proposing that Clarence Street be designated as a one-way street between Woodland Street and Dartmouth Street due to the narrow space, which has been exacerbated by cars parking on sidewalks, causing them to sink and deteriorate. Costa highlighted the challenges faced by residents, particularly between Birch Street and Dartmouth, where there is barely enough room for one car to pass, let alone two. He suggested that the Traffic Commission revisit the issue, taking into account the increased size of modern vehicles and the resulting damage to sidewalks. A motion was made to refer the proposal to the Traffic Commission, with Costa advocating for a three-month trial of the one-way designation to evaluate its effectiveness in mitigating the problem.
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Item 38
Councilor Darren Costa proposed a resolution requesting an inventory of trees requiring trimming to address public safety issues related to trees growing into power lines and to ensure there is a plan for their maintenance amid the rapid addition of new trees. Costa highlighted the lack of an annual maintenance schedule and budget for tree trimming. The planning department has implemented a ticket system using a Google form to handle requests for tree trimming, connecting it to the constituent service ticketing system and creating a streamlined process for managing tree maintenance requests. This system helps track requests and ensures coordination between the planning department, where the arborist is housed, and the Department of Public Works (DPW), aiding in strategic planning, ongoing accountability, and scheduling for tree maintenance.
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Item 39
Councilor Darren Costa proposed a resolution urging the DPW and engineering departments to pave Grover, Estes, Miller, and Meadowview streets, including sidewalks, highlighting that the area, which had previously undergone extensive work for water lead replacement lines facilitated by a $1,500,000 0-interest loan, now faces deteriorating conditions. Costa noted the presence of asphalt squares in front of every house, explaining that over the years, these have begun to break down, causing depressions and uneven surfaces that pose difficulties for pedestrians. He expressed a desire to forward the matter to DPW to seek updates on plans for the reconstruction of the affected streets and sidewalks.
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Item 40
During a public hearing, Councilors Stephanie Martins and Vivian Nguyen introduced a resolution to move a bus stop on Main Street, in front of Pollo Real, to the next block to increase parking availability for local businesses. This request emerged from the businesses on the Ward Five side to alleviate the issue of the bus stop blocking access and consuming potential customer parking spaces. Nguyen motioned for the Traffic Commission and MBTA to explore the feasibility of this move and provide an update within two weeks. Additionally, discussion touched upon the idea of consolidating bus stops to optimize unused space and improve parking. In a separate resolution, Nguyen requested that engineering consider painting designated parking spots on Linden Street to address safety and access concerns raised by residents whose driveways are often blocked. This was proposed to follow the models of Webster Street and Swan Street, with a motion for a response from engineering within two weeks regarding the feasibility of such an implementation.
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