A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of taking up Unfinished Business relative to second passage of a Zoning Ordinance amendment relative to “Planned Unit Development”. Notice of this meeting was posted on November 26, 2008 at 10:41 A.M.
Councillor Lovely was recorded as arriving at 8:15 P.M.
Council President Michael Sosnowski presided.
Councillor Sosnowski gave an overview and summary of what is before them. He explained that the Public Hearing was in violation and was cancelled. He went on to say that there will be a suspension of the rules to allow the public to speak. And before the vote is taken there will be a recess called to wait for Councillor Lovely in order to vote.
Councillor Sargent moved for suspension of the rules to allow the Public to speak. There were no objections.
Councillor Sosnowski opened the discussion to the public.
Teasie Riley Goggin – 9 Wisteria Street, read her letter into the record. Her letter stated her opposition to the proposed zoning ordinance amendment.
Pat Liberti – 3 Lions Lane stated she was in favor of this ordinance amendment.
Marshall Hanley an attorney from Beverly for the developer of Blubber Hollow or Salem Oil & Grease, stated he was in favor of this ordinance amendment.
Barbara a resident of Federal Street stated that she is in favor of the ordinance amendment.
Attorney Joseph Correnti – 63 Federal Street representative for Camp Lions Group off of Highland Avenue stated that there are 3 parcels: Lowe’s, Walmart and Camp Lion. The City of Salem has property which would be swapped in order for Lowe’s to build a water tower on the property. He stated he was in favor of this Ordinance amendment.
Meg Towhey – 122 Federal Street stated she is opposed to this zoning amendment.
Leslie Limon – 18 Southwick Street stated that she didn’t clearly understand the process.
Jim Moskavicz of Ward 4 – said the talk about perception in Salem is not right. This is a good ordinance that will help move Salem forward.
Scott Weisburg of Highland Condo’s and abutter to the Lowe’s/Walmart project is in favor of this.
Darrow Lebovici - 122 Federal Street stated he is against this ordinance and felt this is meant for a different project not the one they are talking about.
Nina Cohen – 22 Chestnut Street stated she is against this ordinance amendment.
Kathy Meadowcroft – 22 Foster St. stated she is against this ordinance.
Mayor Driscoll stated that the hand outs clarified the process, and she stated that there were questions raised as to the professionalism of the Boards. The Boards need the tools to work with and this ordinance gives them the tools they need. She gave an overview of Planned Unit Development and she gave the example of Stop & Shop which was a planned unit development that worked.
Lynn Duncan City Planner passed out the handouts.
Mayor Driscoll stated that we need the tax dollars in the past Parker Brothers paid $116,000 in taxes. Now as JPI in 2008 the City took in $467,000 in taxes. She gave other examples Salem Street $407,000, Princeton Crossing $436,000, Vinnin Square $268,000.
The Council recessed at 7:40 to wait for Councillor Lovely before they voted.
Councillor Lovely arrived at 8:15 PM and the meeting resumed.
Councillor Pelletier moved for adoption for second and final passage by roll call vote.
Second and final passage was not adopted by a roll call vote of 7 yeas, 4 nays, 0 absent. (8 votes required) Councillors Furey, Lovely, McCarthy, O’Keefe, Pelletier, Ryan and Veno were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Pinto, Prevey, Sargent and Sosnowski were recorded as voting in the negative.
Councillor Pelletier moved immediate reconsideration. It was so voted.
A roll call vote of 7 yeas, 4 nays, 0 absent was taken. The matter did not carry.
Councillors Furey, Lovely, McCarthy, O’Keefe, Pelletier, Ryan and Veno were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Pinto, Prevey, Sargent and Sosnowski were recorded as voting in the negative.
Councillor Sargent moved immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail . Reconsideration was denied.
On the motion of Councillor Veno the meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
| 
