The Land Use Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Class 2 Auto Dealer Licenses:
- Luxury Motors at 10 Hawthorn Street (7-0)
- Old Time Garage at 1960 Washington Street (7-0)
- Auction Direct Preowned, Inc. at 1545 Washington Street (7-0)
- Yes Auto Sales Group Inc., d/b/a Yes Auto Center at 454 Watertown Street (7-0)
- Class 1 Auto Dealer License:
- Mag Retail Holdings – CJ LLC, d/b/a McGovern Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram at 777 Washington Street (7-0)
- Construction of a New Member Center at 483-655 Dedham Street (Charles River Country Club): The proposal includes demolition of the existing golf cart barn built in 1980, so a historic review is not required. (8-0; Public Hearing Closed 8-0). No one spoke at the public hearing. Petition Documents Draft Council Order
- Three Attached Single-Family Dwellings at 15 Algonquin Road: Proposal to raze the existing dwelling and construct three attached single-family dwellings with associated dimensional relief (8-0; Public Hearing Closed 8-0). Petition Documents Draft Council Order
The Land Use Committee voted to hold the following:
- Retaining Wall at 52 Kingston Road to construct a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height ( 8-0; Public Hearing Opened). Petitioner said a tree fell on their retaining wall and that they are working with the neighbor on the plan for a new wall.
- Retaining Wall at 166 Plymouth Road to construct a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height (8-0; Public Hearing Opened).
- Three Single-Family Attached Dwellings at 237-239 Langley Road: Request to construct an additional unit resulting in three attached dwellings, waiving certain dimensional requirements and one parking stall (8-0; Public Hearing Opened). The petitioner and his wife are both in their 80s and want to build an accessible unit for themselves where the garage currently is. Four members of the public spoke in support, the Board of Governors of the Terraces Community expressed concern about an unprotected pumping station near the construction site. Councilors expressed concern about the pumping station, tight parking, reduced open space and the timeliness of neighborhood notification about the project.
The Land Use Committee voted no action necessary on the following:
- Discussion on whether Historical Importance should be part of the Special Permit Process (8-0). The Assistant City Solicitor recommends “expanding or strengthening the historic preservation ordinance” as opposed to using the Special Permit Process. “A Councilor asked why the Historic Commission puts things on demolition delay. The Chair of the Historic Commission “noted the primary reason for the delay is to gives time for a decision to be made whether the property should go through the landmark process. He noted the secondary reason is the delay is an economic burden put on the developer for going through the demolition process instead of renovating the property, so it is a tool to act as a deterrent to demolish the building.”
Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Block, Downs, Farrell, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, and Lobovits
Also Present: Councilors Malakie, Oliver, and Wright, Doug Cornelius, Chair of the Historic Commission
City Staff Present: Deputy Chief Planner Alyssa Sandoval, Assistant City Solicitor Jonah Temple,
Senior Planner Cat Kemmett, Economic Development Director John Sisson, and Senior Planner
Joseph Iadonisi