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At a glance: Revere City Council adopts housing plan, approves HDIP authority; several local motions pass
Summary
On Feb. 3 the council adopted the city’s Housing Production Plan, authorized the mayor to negotiate housing‑development tax exemption agreements for two HDIP zones (Suffolk Downs and Green Street/Shirley Avenue), and approved local traffic, building‑information and commendation motions.
The Revere City Council on Feb. 3 took several formal votes on zoning and local motions. Key outcomes:
Housing Production Plan — adopted The council voted to adopt the City of Revere Housing Production Plan (as amended in subcommittee). The motion was decided by roll call and the chair announced the plan was adopted.
Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) zones and negotiation authority — approved The council voted to adopt two housing development incentive zones (one at Suffolk Downs; one covering portions of Green Street and Shirley Avenue) and to authorize the mayor to negotiate housing‑development tax‑exemption agreements for projects in those zones. Councilor Jaramillo successfully amended the city resolution language to specify that the mayor’s authority is to negotiate and that any execution of a tax exemption agreement would follow pending City Council approval. The motion passed after roll call and a failed reconsideration attempt.
Local motions adopted (voice votes unless noted) - Traffic and pedestrian safety on Revere Street: Council directed the mayor and relevant departments to implement several measures including marked parking stalls, reinstallation of stop signs removed for sidewalk work, a marked ADA‑compliant crosswalk and pedestrian‑activated signal at Revere Street and Broadway, and additional speed signage. The motion passed by voice vote. - Apartment building contact information policy: Council asked the mayor to require that apartment buildings prominently post accurate property‑management and emergency contact information in common areas and directed the fire/building departments to maintain a verified database; motion passed by voice vote. - Certificates of commendation: The council approved private commendations (to be presented privately) recognizing investigators and partner units involved in three narcotics investigations; motion passed.
Process notes and next steps - The HDIP votes were accompanied by extended subcommittee discussion and a request (by one councilor) for a legal opinion from the city solicitor and a financial analysis from the CFO; the council voted not to refer the matter back to committee but to approve the zones and negotiation authority. Council members emphasized that negotiated agreements will return to the council for final approval before execution. - The housing production plan vote will allow the city to use state housing‑production tools available to gateway cities; councilors who opposed the measure noted concerns over changes in zoning and affordable‑housing requirements in prior special permits.
Ending: Votes taken at the Feb. 3 meeting will be reflected in final minutes and in formal documents from the planning department as the mayor’s office proceeds with any negotiated agreements.
