City Council committees discuss ADUs and dumpsters

On Monday, various committees of the City Council discussed the following:

Ordinances and Rules Committee

Ward 9 Councilor Robert G. Logan introduced a motion to add further clarification to the ordinances surrounding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as advised from the city’s Law Department and feedback from the public hearing that took place on Monday, Feb. 24.

The amendments included allowing no more than one ADU per property in single-family zoning areas, allowing ADUs on multifamily properties, having a minimum requirement of 300 square feet, and requiring no minimum lot size to build an ADU. Additionally, Logan requested the removal of the separate utility connections requirement as well as the requirement for additional parking spaces if the property is within a half-mile of a bus stop.

Ward 3 Councilor Bill Hanley requested that the city solicitor research the legality of setting a rental price limit for ADUs that is set at 70% of the fair market rent as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Both councilors’ motions were approved.

The committee approved an amendment to the dumpster ordinance proposal as requested by Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy. The proposal will now be placed under Chapter 7, which deals with trash, rather than Chapter 8, which deals with ordinances. 

Logan expressed frustration about the stalling of the dumpster proposal, saying “We’ve made every change that everyone has recommended. At the end of the day, we still have something that addresses the issue that this was meant to address, and so I’ll be happy if it passes.” 

The ordinance will be sent to city council for a first reading next week after the city’s Law Department reviews the legislation. City leaders have been discussing an ordinance to more closely regulate dumpsters as a way to help limit their attractiveness to rats.

In other business, Logan expressed concern about the height of a hotel being built at 1265 Main St. that may obstruct the view from or cast shadow on Prospect Hill Park. 

He requested that weather balloons or drones be flown at the height of the building while someone assessed from Prospect Hill Park what the view might be like. “Are we going to be looking down at the top of this building? Are we going to be looking straight out at the top floor?” Logan questioned.

The matter was tabled.

Committee of the Whole

The committee approved John Everett White as a new member of the Waltham Biosafety Committee. White works for Azenta Life Sciences, which Logan noted is a plus.

“Something like this, you need to have a background in this field and you certainly do. I applaud your willingness to get involved. I think that’s part of what makes this city a community,” said Logan. 

The nomination will go before the full CIty Council next week for a second vote.

Finance Committee

Director of Public Works Michael Chiasson requested $1.4 million to pay employees overtime for this season’s 15 snow and ice events, which totaled 28.6 inches of snow. The money will also help pay for existing invoices and any other snow events from now until the end of the season. Chiasson’s request was approved.

The committee approved a request from Director of Recreation Kim Hebert for $257,000 to pay for design services for the department’s 200 Trapelo Road property. The design plans feature an amphitheater, a disk golf course, and basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts .