Council sends 78 West Street towing-and-storage permit back to zoning after neighbor safety, parking concerns

The City Council on Feb. 3 sent a proposed special permit for a towing and vehicle-storage business at 78 West Street back to the Zoning Committee for further review after residents and councilors raised concerns about congestion, safety and on-street parking.

The permit, filed by Cruise Control Transportation to operate towing and storage on a property that also contains an auto body shop, had drawn lengthy discussion during the zoning committee and at the council meeting. Neighbors described narrow streets, frequent on-street parking and the potential for the new operation to worsen conditions for city vehicles and local traffic.

Resident Jeremy Procon, who said he formerly worked in the neighborhood, called the proposed plan “blighted” for the block and said the layout did not clearly show space for tow trucks and…