Committee Report - L&P - 10-8-14 — File 197813

October 8, 2014 Licenses and Permits Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/9/2014 REPORT OF THE LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Dennis M. Sullivan Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Absent Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present City Clerk John Long, Asst. Solicitor David Shapiro • Public Hearing: 197445 - Used car dealer license - Simon's There was one speaker in favor of the petition and none against. • Public Hearing: 197558 - Used car dealer license - John's Auto Sales See 197559 • Public Hearing: 197559 - Garage License - John's Auto Sales The applicant appeared before the committee and stated that there was a business name change due to a partnership. A representative from Target asked for courtesy with regards to parking cars in the area. Chairman Sullivan suggested that both parties exchange contact information and try to resolve any issues. 197445 - New Used Car Dealer's License Class 2, Simon's Auto Service, 166 Boston Ave., 3 autos outside.: RESULT: APPROVED 197558 - New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, John's Auto Sales, 181 Somerville Ave., 38 autos outside, Su 10-5PM, Mo-Th 8-8PM, Fr 8-7PM, Sa 8-5PM.:

Committee Meeting October 8, 2014 Licenses and Permits Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/9/2014 RESULT: APPROVED 197559 - New Garage License, John's Auto Sales, 181 Somerville Ave., 2 autos inside, Su 10-5PM, Mo-Th 8-8PM, Fr 8-7PM, Sa 8-5PM.: RESULT: APPROVED 197670 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) enforce that city streets are not being used by Alewife Automotive, 395 Alewife Brook Parkway.: Mr. Long gave an update on current permitted uses and Chairman Sullivan handed out a copy of an email from Inspectional Services recording that the lot was clean on October 7th and that 42 motor vehicles were on the lot. That number is nearly double the amount allowed by the permit. Several residents spoke on the item, complaining about the amount of time vehicles are parked on the street, cars parked on sidewalks, more than the number of permitted vehicles being on the premises, parking spots being taken by vehicles with zone 5 or 6 parking permit stickers and the unavailability of parking spaces. The attorney for Alewife Automotive stated there was some confusion and said that according to ISD, the business has not been in violation. The primary business is car repair and eight cars belonged to employees and four cars were waiting for inspections. The business needs to have more than 17 cars to run a sustainable business and the owner continuously tries to work with the neighbors to keep cars off the street. The owner stated that he wants to stay in Somerville. This situation has been going on two years and the owner has appeared before this committee multiple times for ignoring the conditions of his permit. Mr. Shapiro said the city could give notice or ISD could cite the owner for a Show Cause hearing on the number of vehicles. Chairman Sullivan suggested pursuing a Show Cause hearing to allow ISD a chance to review how the business is doing and look at possible disciplinary actions or modifications to the permit. This hearing will be scheduled within the next month. The business needs to be in full compliance with the conditions of the permit and all applicable codes/ordinances, and must remove the vehicles that are over the allowed limit. Alderman Ballantyne stated that as of the end of July, this vendor does not have a license to sell cars and that it’s the city's responsibility to ensure the permit is used as approved. Chairman Sullivan’s motion that the City Clerk schedule a For Cause hearing during the month of November do determine why the garage license for Alewife Automotive should not be suspended or revoked, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE