Scoop on Mr. India

This is the kinda scoop that Tom Salemi will envy....

Not a scoop really, just that I noticed in those tiny little notices in the Daily News that Mr. India is appearing before the Licensing Board in January to request that their beer and wine license be transferred to a new location....

http://www.google.com/maps?q=140+High+Street,+Newburyport,+MA&hl=en&ll=42.808409,-70.873591&spn=0.001635,0.004128&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=57.030354,135.263672&vpsrc=6&hnear=140+High+St,+Newburyport,+Essex,+Massachusetts+01950&t=h&z=19

Public Meeting on Rezoning

Dear Newburyporter,

I received a lot of feedback regarding the possibility of rezoning 81 and 83 Storey Avenue, so as reported in today's Daily News, please be aware that:

The Committee on Planning & Development will hold a joint meeting with the Planning Board on Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30pm at CC Chambers to review the proposal for a zoning change on Storey Ave.

Councillor Ed Cameron

Rezoning 81 and 83 Storey Avenue

Welcome to Newburyport?



The Daily News today covers the rezoning issue for two parcels on Storey Ave.

http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x811213367/Council-blocks-rezoning

You can see the ordinance here: http://www.cityofnewburyport.com/Planning/Planning%20Board/Council-Order-Storey-Avenue-ReZoning-10-11-2011.pdf

The area via a google map is here

View Larger Map

As the story says, the vote was 6-5 in favor of rezoning these two parcels. Voting against were me aka Ed Cameron, Robert Cronin, Ari Herzog, Steve Hutcheson and Kathleen O'Connor Ives. Because changing zoning requires a 2/3 vote, the measure failed needing 8 votes.

The reasons for my 'no' vote are pretty simple:

1. Usually matters like this are vetted extensively in committee with lots of public input before they come to the Council floor. This proposed zoning change was introduced to the Council on October 17 with little explanation as to the rationale other than it was for a CVS and there was a possibility that the City would get open space. The Planning and Development Committee spent approximately 20 minutes covering the topic at a Joint Hearing with the Planning Board....just before the full Council meeting last night.
2. Although it's only two small parcels, the implications of rezoning, especially for an incredibly intensive use in an already poorly managed area, need to be carefully examined by the Council and not simply rubber-stamped to keep to a developer's timetable. The At-Large Council candidates got an earful in October at a forum with residents of the Woodman Way area who pointed out the poor management and planning of traffic flow both by the City and MassHighway. If you've tried to take a left into Russell Terrace from 113 or take a left from Guiseppe's onto Low Street, you'll understand the point.

That said, there were good reasons to vote for this, as expressed last night by supporters, including the City gets a large chunk of open space, the City would be encouraging business, and increasing the tax base.

Councillor Herzog today filed a notice of reconsideration. So there will be more to come.