Council okays Article 97 home‑rule petition to protect James J. O'Neil Park after small land trade for roundabout

The Lawrence City Council on Aug. 19 approved a notice of dedication and authorized a home‑rule petition to obtain Article 97 protection for a parcel of James J. O'Neil Park, after a small land trade tied to a traffic‑calming roundabout. City staff said construction of a new rotary at Chestnut, Amesbury and Lawrence streets requires removing about 77 square feet from the park while adding roughly 363 square feet along the park edge, for a net gain in park area. The swap is part of the city’s streetscape and safety work; Amesbury Street will become two‑way and the rotary aims to ease congestion near schools and recreational fields. A staff presenter explained Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution protects certain park and conservation lands and that substituting land of equal or greater value is required for such an amendment. The executive office of environmental affairs reviewed the proposed trade and provided a letter saying the exchange is satisfactory for Article 97 protection, staff said. The home‑rule petition will be filed by the state representative whose district includes the park and requires a subsequent two‑thirds vote at the State House to enact the Article 97 protection. Councilors approved both the notice of dedication and sending the home‑rule petition forward. Council members said the change will preserve and slightly expand the park area while allowing the rotation to move forward to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety near the park and nearby schools. The council’s vote authorizes the mayor to submit the required documents to the state and does not itself create the state‑level protection; final Article 97 protection depends on legislative approval at the State House.