The Development & Government Relations Committee voted to reapprove a special permit for a light-truck repair and detailing business at 41 Temple and forward the item to the full City Council, subject to confirmation from the Planning Department that outstanding conditions have been met.

The committee discussed a December 10 planning-board letter that listed specific conditions, most notably that all site lighting be shielded from abutting properties and that site plans show parking. Committee members said the applicant must confirm directly to planning that those items are satisfied before the council acts. An attorney representing the applicant explained the concern behind the previous comment from an outside attorney: the special-permit approval referenced the planning-board letter but did not provide a mechanism to confirm compliance. "The applicant can make an affirmative statement to the planning board relative to all those... paragraphs, and he can do that prior to our next meeting," an attorney told the committee; the chair and members agreed that planning confirmation would resolve the issue.

Committee members noted the planning memo items largely appeared to be satisfied: the applicant said site lighting was limited to small residential motion lights, there was no outdoor stockpiling, signage was acceptable and a sidewalk on the site must remain unblocked. Planning also flagged a possible requirement for a bulk-waste container under city ordinances for motor-vehicle-repair garages; the applicant said he does not generate large amounts of trash and could seek a waiver from the planning board if required.

After discussion the committee made a motion to send the special permit back to the City Council with the instruction that the applicant provide affirmative confirmation to the Planning Department on the December 10 planning memo items; if planning finds the confirmation insufficient the council will reconsider. The committee voted in favor to reapprove and forward the permit.

The committee recorded that the public hearing had been closed at a prior meeting and that no additional public testimony was presented at this session. The applicant or representative will be expected to provide documentation or a direct statement to planning prior to the council's final vote.