Monday evening, February 7, 2011. Public Hearing of the City Council held in the Council Chambers, City Hall.~ Meeting called to order by President Neil Janssens at 7:15 o’clock p.m.
Councillors Present: President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr.
President Neil Janssens opened the Public Hearing by stating the hearing was called to consider the City of Gardner Urban Renewal Plan dated October 2010.~ The Urban Renewal Plan seeks to promote revitalization opportunities within a significant portion of the greater downtown area, including areas of commercial/retail, office, residential, manufacturing and public space land uses.~
He introduced Robert Hubbard, Community Development and Planning Director and Executive Director of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority (“GRA”).
Mr. Hubbard stated the Massachusetts Historical Commission was not notified of the first Public Hearing as required by regulation; therefore, the City Council was asked to conduct a “confirmatory” hearing.
Mr. Hubbard said he had no new information to add concerning the Urban Renewal Plan (URP), only a minor change in the Resolution language allowing the Mayor to make minor editorial changes.
Councillor Scott Graves expressed concern over Resolve 6, granting the Mayor authority to make “editorial changes” to the URP without Council approval. He stated the language is vague, potentially creating a “legal quagmire”.
Mr. Hubbard stated the purpose of Resolve 6 is to provide for timely changes to minor aspects should DHCD require it.
Councillor Scott Graves recommended that Resolve 6 be amended to replace “minor changes” with “minor, non-substantive language changes”. Councillor Ronald Cormier concurred.
Councillor David Boudreau asked if the re-hearing would prolong the approval process. Mr. Hubbard replied there would be no impact. He asked Mr. Hubbard to keep the Council apprised of any changes to the URP. Mr. Hubbard agreed to provide a progress report.
Edward Lepkowski, Chairman of the GRA, spoke in favor of the URP Resolution.
President Janssens declared the Hearing closed at 7:28 p.m.
Accepted by the City Council:
| 
