The Committee on Ordinance approved a zone change to include 1 Charles Street in the D1‑45 downtown zone, allowing the building — which the owner said contains five short‑term rental units — to continue operating without the existing owner‑occupancy requirement.

Robert Azar, deputy director of planning, said the property sits adjacent to the D1 downtown zone and that changing the zoning to D1‑45 would align the parcel’s location with downtown policy, permit continued short‑term rental operation without the owner‑occupancy condition and offer historic‑building protections tied to the downtown designation.

Jeff (legal representative for the owner) and owner Carlos Veram told the committee the property has operated as short‑term rentals for several years, that the owner has renewed a temporary use permit annually since 2022, and that the owner employs a staff of roughly 20 people to manage operations. After testimony the committee closed the hearing and voted to approve the zoning change. A committee member asked to be recorded in opposition; the committee recorded the motion as passing with three votes in favor and one opposed.