Meetings ▸ Minutes
Licenses and Permits Committee — Minutes, May 22, 2024
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council Licenses and Permits
Committee
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Burnley and
adjourned at 6:20 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Ewen-Campen, Mbah and Burnley),
none against and none absent.
Others present:
Michael Potere – Licensing Operations Manager, Legislative Liaison, Peter Forcellese – Legislative
Clerk.
Roll Call
City Councilor At Large Willie Burnley Jr., City Councilor
At Large Wilfred N. Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor
Ben Ewen-Campen
Present:
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of
May 8, 2024.
Committee
Minutes
(ID # 24-0653)
ACCEPTED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
2.
New Extended Operating Hours License, Eat Greek Gyros, 215 Elm St, for
in-store, take-out, and delivery services until 2am.
License
(ID # 24-0609)
Co-owners Eva Tsiantikos and Roland Leci told the committee that they
would like the business to be able to remain open until 2:00 AM as they
want to have the opportunity to introduce their new Mediterranean cuisine
business to as many people as possible. Formerly, this location housed the
restaurant Out of the Blue.
Chair Burnley informed the applicants that the approval will not become
official until the City Council approves it and the Mayor signs off on it. He
cautioned the applicants not to begin business operations until their license
is received.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
Page 1 of 3
Licenses and Permits Committee
Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2024
3.
New Extended Operating Hours License, Papa John's, 622 Somerville Ave,
opening Sun-Thur until 1am, Fri-Sat until 2am for takeout and delivery
services.
License
(ID # 24-0635)
Co-owners Joe Johnson and David Rothman explained that the business is
seeking this extension because the demand has shifted to late night hours
and they want to be able to better serve the public. They had extended
operating hours prior to the pandemic and would like to di it again. Chair
Burnley noted that the location is such that it would not create a disturbance
to neighbors.
Chair Burnley informed the applicants that the approval will not become
official until the City Council approves it and the Mayor signs off on it. He
cautioned the applicants not to begin extended business operations until their
license is received.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
4.
New Garage License, BRE-BMR Assembly Innovation I LLC, 122
Assembly Park Drive, 306 vehicles inside, 0 vehicles outside for charging
money to store vehicles and operating a tow, operating 7 days a week 24
hours.
License
(ID # 24-0692)
Daniel Wells, the Director of Property Management for BioMed Realty,
explained that this garage will support public parking in the Assembly
Square area. The garage, at the corner of Middlesex Avenue and Foley
Street, is part of the special permit but is only available for 5 Middlesex
Avenue. There is a requirement that when the building is complete,
additional parking will be opened, with a cap, until the second phase of
development, which includes the demolition of 5 Middlesex Avenue and the
construction of some additional buildings. This application was delayed due
to some lease language, resulting in the company not being able to do
business with the public. Mike Rosenberry, the Director Property Manager
of the site, was also in attendance.
Councilor Ewen-Campen inquired if this garage falls under the city’s
policies and Mr. Wells assured the councilor that it does. Chair Burnley
asked about pedestrian sensors and Mr. Wells stated that sensors will be
operational at the sole entrance/exit to the garage.
Chair Burnley informed the applicants that the approval will not become
official until the City Council approves it and the Mayor signs off on it. He
cautioned the applicants not to begin business operations until their license
is received.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
Page 2 of 3
Licenses and Permits Committee
Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2024
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
Referenced Documents:
•
Licenses and Permits 2024-05-22 Public Comment (with 24-0609)
Page 3 of 3