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Mayor seeks zoning change to allow municipal buildings by right; council splits over preserving public permitting
Summary
Mayor Concannon proposed amending Woburn’s zoning table to allow municipal uses (including fire stations) by right in all districts to speed two planned fire station projects. Councilors debated the trade-offs — expedited construction versus loss of public hearings — and voted to continue the public hearing to Feb. 4.
Mayor Concannon appeared before the Woburn City Council on Jan. 21 to seek an amendment to the city zoning ordinance that would allow municipal uses — specifically municipal buildings such as fire stations — as-of-right in all zoning districts.
The mayor framed the request as a narrow tool to keep the city’s two planned fire-station projects on schedule and on budget. “We would like to begin demo of station 4 in East Woburn as soon as April 1st,” Mayor Concannon told the council, noting that the council previously approved a $30 million bond that funds two new stations and that the building committee has begun work. He said the municipal-use exemption existed in Woburn prior to 1992 and that other nearby communities allow municipal uses by right.
Several councilors pushed back. Councilor Marcevarruin (Marissa Bruin) and Councilor Campbell were among those who said removing the special-permit requirement — even narrowly for fire stations — would strip residents of the public hearing and permitting protections that give them a voice and that the right to comment comes through elected representatives.
Council debate focused on options: narrowing the exemption, adding guardrails or keeping the current special-permit pathway. Several councilors said they wanted a committee hearing to explore compromises and safeguards. Councilor DeMearns said he’d heard substantial constituent feedback in the prior 24 hours and favored a committee discussion; Councilor Viola said she remained undecided and wanted more public input.
After discussion the council opened the public hearing, heard several public speakers and then voted to continue the hearing to Feb. 4 to give the ordinance committee and the public time for further review. The roll call on the continuance recorded opposition from Councilor Campbell and two other members; the motion to continue passed by the required majority.
Mayor Concannon told the council he supports taking the issue to committee and said he will accept a narrower or tailored exemption if that is the council’s will. He also said the city can proceed under the existing special-permit process if the council chooses not to amend the ordinance.
The record shows the planning board had previously recommended a municipal-use exemption (vote 7–0) and forwarded that recommendation to the council. The council’s continuation schedules the ordinance for further review and a committee report before any final vote.
