Committee Report - Land Use - 3-30-15 — File 198746

Land Use Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 4/7/2015 March 30, 2015 REPORT OF THE LAND USE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Dennis M. Sullivan Chair Present Mark Niedergang Vice Chair Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Absent Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Absent John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present Others present: George Proakis, Omar Boukili 1. Approval of the March 5, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198429: Requesting the adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance (updated) to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990. Members discussed the city’s proposed new comprehensive zoning plan and mentioned some of the concerns expressed by residents at the previous public hearing on the matter. Members were made aware of the time constraints associated with this proposal, however several members felt the need to take additional time to review and modify it, where needed. Some of the concerns raised at this meeting involved: • Stalling development, • working public’s concerns into plan, • securing Administrative support for the BOA, • involving the BOA,

Land Use Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 4/7/2015 • what the proposal would ultimately result in and what would happen if it is not acted on, • the importance of residential development, • the city’s readiness for big companies wanting to come here, • office space and R&D, • how Union Square fits in with the plan and • changes to the table of uses. Some members felt that the measure should be voted down at this meeting, however, Mr. Boukili cautioned members not to vote the item down because the Administration might not come back with an entirely new document. He said that the draft is subject to change, debate and comment. Mr. Proakis planned on making a presentation this evening, but instead, he will email the presentation to all aldermen. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE