WatchinU
02-21-2008, 11:19 PM
Wow..it didn't take long for these guys to learn the ropes ! I own a property
on Plymouth Ave. near Walmart. Does this qualify for the Arts Waterfront District? Or is that only for City Councilors?
It didn’t take long for the three new city councilors to start mixing it up.
After a sometimes testy exchange, the City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to have its Committee on Ordinances and Legislation consider a proposal for an expanded downtown arts and waterfront district.
Three councilors impacted by the expansion — Steven A. Camara, Michael B. Lund and Cathy Ann Viveiros — abstained, saying they could not vote on the second part of the Planning Board’s ordinance recommendation.
“As a result of actions taken by Councilor Lund, I was placed in a conflict of interest,” Viveiros, who lives in The Landing condominium complex on Shore Drive, said in a lengthy prepared statement. “I am both angry and frustrated to have been placed in that position.”
Viveiros said she was upset because James Clarkin, an attorney for Lund, proposed expanding the overlay district to include the south side of Ferry Street between the Taunton River and the railroad tracks. Camara also made a pitch to expand the commercial district at the Planning Board meeting.
The zoning ordinance — at least a year in the works and issued by businessand government interests last October, is aimed at creating a bustling arts and commerce center along the waterfront to spur economic revitalization.
The Planning Board recommended a slightly amended ordinance, which adds a one—block area on South Main Street between Rodman to Morgan streets, where the former Capital Theater is located.
The board held a second advisory vote asking the council to consider incorporating the expansion into the ordinance or drafting a new zoning change submission.
Lund said he had attended previous brainstorming sessions to address a special downtown district, which was later expanded to include the waterfront.
Lund said using the other side of Ferry Street, which includes his marina and a large downtown development area previously owned by Quaker Fabrics, “makes sense to me.” Lund said the city planner drew the line not to include his side of Ferry Street.
Lund also told Viveiros the area had been abandoned industrial property, and The Landing “was built by my family where you now live.”
Viveiros’ opposition was in part a question of venue — the expansion was not proposed at a City Council public hearing, but rather presented directly to the Planning Board last month.
Lund later said that as councilors, they can’t comment at public hearings.
Camara has proposed including an area of cultural attractions like the Lizzy Borden properties, the international culinary school and Lafayette Durfee House,which includes property he owns.With Camara, Lund and Viveiros abstaining, the remaining councilors voted to put the expansion before the ordinance subcommittee.
Councilor Thomas F. Kozak said he considered the expansion “a major change” from what advocates proposed. “I think it’s an injustice to the citizens” to consider it, Kozak said.
Councilor Linda M. Pereira said she favored the original concept after “a phenomenal presentation” at the Cultural Center in October.
Councilor Raymond E. Hague, after other comments, seemed to sway the majority by saying the ordinance subcommittee is the ideal place to discuss discrepancies in the proposals. “I think non-referral is the injustice,” he said, adding that Lund had “done a good job” proposing new options.
Council President Joseph D. Camara, Vice President Pat Casey and Councilor Leo O. Pelletier also favored giving the proposal to the ordinance committee.
on Plymouth Ave. near Walmart. Does this qualify for the Arts Waterfront District? Or is that only for City Councilors?
It didn’t take long for the three new city councilors to start mixing it up.
After a sometimes testy exchange, the City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to have its Committee on Ordinances and Legislation consider a proposal for an expanded downtown arts and waterfront district.
Three councilors impacted by the expansion — Steven A. Camara, Michael B. Lund and Cathy Ann Viveiros — abstained, saying they could not vote on the second part of the Planning Board’s ordinance recommendation.
“As a result of actions taken by Councilor Lund, I was placed in a conflict of interest,” Viveiros, who lives in The Landing condominium complex on Shore Drive, said in a lengthy prepared statement. “I am both angry and frustrated to have been placed in that position.”
Viveiros said she was upset because James Clarkin, an attorney for Lund, proposed expanding the overlay district to include the south side of Ferry Street between the Taunton River and the railroad tracks. Camara also made a pitch to expand the commercial district at the Planning Board meeting.
The zoning ordinance — at least a year in the works and issued by businessand government interests last October, is aimed at creating a bustling arts and commerce center along the waterfront to spur economic revitalization.
The Planning Board recommended a slightly amended ordinance, which adds a one—block area on South Main Street between Rodman to Morgan streets, where the former Capital Theater is located.
The board held a second advisory vote asking the council to consider incorporating the expansion into the ordinance or drafting a new zoning change submission.
Lund said he had attended previous brainstorming sessions to address a special downtown district, which was later expanded to include the waterfront.
Lund said using the other side of Ferry Street, which includes his marina and a large downtown development area previously owned by Quaker Fabrics, “makes sense to me.” Lund said the city planner drew the line not to include his side of Ferry Street.
Lund also told Viveiros the area had been abandoned industrial property, and The Landing “was built by my family where you now live.”
Viveiros’ opposition was in part a question of venue — the expansion was not proposed at a City Council public hearing, but rather presented directly to the Planning Board last month.
Lund later said that as councilors, they can’t comment at public hearings.
Camara has proposed including an area of cultural attractions like the Lizzy Borden properties, the international culinary school and Lafayette Durfee House,which includes property he owns.With Camara, Lund and Viveiros abstaining, the remaining councilors voted to put the expansion before the ordinance subcommittee.
Councilor Thomas F. Kozak said he considered the expansion “a major change” from what advocates proposed. “I think it’s an injustice to the citizens” to consider it, Kozak said.
Councilor Linda M. Pereira said she favored the original concept after “a phenomenal presentation” at the Cultural Center in October.
Councilor Raymond E. Hague, after other comments, seemed to sway the majority by saying the ordinance subcommittee is the ideal place to discuss discrepancies in the proposals. “I think non-referral is the injustice,” he said, adding that Lund had “done a good job” proposing new options.
Council President Joseph D. Camara, Vice President Pat Casey and Councilor Leo O. Pelletier also favored giving the proposal to the ordinance committee.