City Council Zoning Committee approves special permit to convert 649 Meadow St. garages to storage units

The City Council Zoning Committee voted 4-0 Wednesday to approve a special permit allowing the conversion of existing garage bays at 649 Meadow St. into public storage rental units. The application was filed by Jeffrey J. Campbell, Inc.; Jeffrey Campbell attended the hearing and described the plan.

Jeffrey Campbell said the intent was to "convert the garages to small storage units." Councilor Susan Goff moved to close public input after no members of the public indicated they wished to speak; she later moved to approve the permit and was seconded by Councilor Samuel Shumsky. The committee approved the motion on a roll-call vote with Councilors Shumsky, Goff, McAuliffe and Pasternak voting yes and Chair George Balakier recorded as absent.

Councilor Susan Goff stated that the Fire Department needs to reinspect the property and that the applicant must install "No Parking" and "Fire Lane" signs as conditions of approval. The permit was approved to "run with the applicant," meaning the permit is tied to the applicant and property as stated in the hearing record.

The committee also approved the minutes of Feb. 25, 2026, on a separate roll-call motion by Councilor Joseph Pasternak, III, seconded by Councilor Samuel Shumsky. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Next procedural steps were not specified in the hearing record; no appeals or additional hearings were stated at the meeting.