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Council continues Jones Ferry subdivision and delays Best Car license amid parking complaints; refers special permit and e-bike ordinance to committees
Summary
After public complaints about a used-car business, the council continued a license increase request and referred several land-use matters — including a Jones Ferry subdivision special permit, a mixed-use special permit at 520 Chicopee Street and an amended e-bike ordinance — to the appropriate committees for further review.
City councilors on June 2 continued or referred multiple land-use and licensing matters after public comment and committee reports.
A favorable Zoning Committee report for a proposed 34-lot residential subdivision at 326 Chicopee Street (Jones Ferry Development, LLC) prompted questions about density, frontage, setbacks and departmental review. Councilor George A. Balakier described the site as about 8.23 acres and said that some lots may be shoehorned into areas zoned for different densities; engineers and fire officials had outstanding questions. The council voted to continue the zoning matter to the June 24 zoning meeting to allow SPRAC review and additional departmental input.
A complaint from resident Al Lafleur alleged that All State Auto Max d/b/a Best Car Best Deal at 400 E. Main Street disregarded license restrictions, used another person's designated parking and created an ADA access issue. Councilor Shane D. Brooks said inspectors had visited multiple times and that there did not appear to be space on the lot to accommodate a proposed increase from 24 to 32 vehicles. The council continued the license application to the July 23 License Committee meeting with continued restrictions and random spot checks.
The council also received and referred a new special-permit application for a mixed-use building at 520 Chicopee Street (Campagnari Construction) requesting a waiver to reduce parking from six to three spaces; the matter was sent to the Zoning, Planning, Building and Engineering departments for review. A home-occupation license for billing services at 1150 Granby Road was referred to the License Committee.
On public-safety legislation, Councilor William C. Courchesne presented an amended ordinance to ban or limit operation of e-bikes and non-human-powered transportation on sidewalks and natural-surface paths, and to impose a $100 fine for violations. An amendment was added to exempt mobility devices covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and to allow exigent circumstances; councilors referred the amended ordinance to the Ordinance Committee for further drafting and consideration.
Councilors said these referrals and continuances will allow staff and committees to gather additional information from planning, engineering, fire, and legal staff before final votes.
The council also approved transient vendor permits for the Wicked Twist Food Truck to operate on select dates downtown to encourage foot traffic and support local businesses.
