Public Comment

Transcript (~5 min @ 2:28)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 2:26 Speaker 5: Yes Council of Migliorelli. Yes counselor Stewart.

▶ 2:29 Speaker 6: Yes counselor Williams. Yes, president

▶ 2:32 Speaker 7: Grigoraitis. Yes, Kenya 10. Yes. So those

▶ 2:34 Jen Grigoraitis: minutes pass at this time. I'll entertain a motion to open public comment. Motion up and for public comments second. It's even motion to open public comment made by counselor. Cinellas seconded by counselor Williams.

▶ 2:48 Speaker 5: Madame clerk. Can you please call the role counselor? Sonella? Yes counselor Eccles. Yes counselor Garipay. Yes counselor maladene

▶ 2:54 Speaker 8: Yes, that's okay. I'm charity. Yes counselor McMaster.

▶ 2:57 Speaker 6: Yes. Counsela. Migliorelli. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes, president

▶ 3:03 Speaker 7: Grigoraitis. Yes, ten. Yes Tanya. So public

▶ 3:05 Jen Grigoraitis: comment is now open. This is the portion of our meeting where any member of the public can come before us and comment on any item on our agenda. Don't believe we have anyone in person tonight Mr. Clerk. Do you have anyone online? We may I'm just

▶ 3:17 Speaker 9: gonna check in okay.

▶ 3:19 Speaker 10: If you're here for public comment, kindly raise your digital hand.

▶ 3:28 Speaker 10: At this point, I don't see anyone to digital hand raised. There's a participant but

▶ 3:34 Jen Grigoraitis: So, all right. And then while we're still in public comment, we did receive an email from the public that accounts are has requested be read into the record Mr. Clerk if you would

▶ 3:45 Speaker 10: I think a greatest the purpose of this communication is to share concerns re regarding order 2023-85 amending Melrose revised zoning ordinance chapter 235 definition of in law apartment and Order 2023-90 amending Melrose revised zoning ordinance chapter 235 definition of family and dwelling units. I recently attended a seminar in which one of these. Which in which one of the topics was short-term rentals in law apartments and accessory dwellings? As it relates to zoning enforcement. I've attached five images to this email which contain additional information. The presenter was zoning enforcement officer for the city of Watertown after his presentation. I asked him how the family occupancy requirement is enforced for in-law apartments. His response was that his impossible to do so further? That in-law apartments are frequently used by single-family homeowners as a short-term rentals. A quick search on the Airbnb website appears to indicate that this is presently taking place in Melrose. As you will see in the attached to images Massachusetts building code code of Massachusetts regulations 780 requires that owner occupied dwellings that will be used as short-term rentals or that have been used a short-term rentals since October 17 2017 must be sprinkled. I would suggest that we have violators who need to be brought into compliance before the rules are relaxed further.

▶ 5:23 Speaker 10: How are we presently regulating short-term rentals in Melrose? I looked on the city's website to see what inspectional services had but found nothing that would seem to indicate that such units are illegal Apartments. The Commonwealth allows venicipalities to attack short-term rentals and as such we are missing out on additional Revenue stream.

▶ 5:47 Speaker 10: I hope that this information will speak about will spark a robust conversation about how our city will address such concerns moving forward. The creation of new code and enforcement of existing will be necessary to ensure that the citizens of this city are best served. I encourage you to include the Building Commissioner in the dialogue. I watched the last meeting when this was before the propriet before Appropriations, and it was distressed. And was distressed by Ms. Gaffey's assertion that the order ought to pass because there had been no public opposition to it a lack of public participation is not evidence of that tacky at approval. We elect you to represent us and our best interests if public composition is a standard by which you are to approve or reject such measures here is your public opposition. Thank you for your consideration and service to our community Ward Hamilton.

▶ 6:42 Jen Grigoraitis: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And that email is and the attachments are attached to the order great at this time. I'll make a motion entertain a motion to close public comment Madam

▶ 6:51 Robb Stewart: president only commotion to close public comments second save emotion

▶ 6:53 Jen Grigoraitis: to close public comment made by counselor Stewart seconded by councilor. Migliorelli Madam clerk can please call the role counselor. Sonella.

▶ 6:59 Speaker 5: Yes counselor Garrett Echols. Yes counselor Garipay. Yes Consular maladene.

▶ 7:05 Speaker 8: Yes Council Karim Shady. Yes counselor Mickey

▶ 7:10 Speaker 6: Master. Yes counsel and Migliorelli. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes, president

▶ 7:15 Speaker 7: Grigoraitis. Yes, ten. Yes, and yes, a

▶ 7:18 Jen Grigoraitis: public comments is now closed. We will now move on to section 4 of our agenda communication from his honor the mayor and other City officials.