We picked up Article 17 again - which I had originally proposed - and then asked TM to reject - in 2013.
Article 17 BYLAW AMENDMENT/CONVERSION OF GAS STATION DISPENSING PUMPS TO SELF SERVICE OPERATION
To amend the existing bylaw requiring gas station owners to have an attendant pump gasoline to a self service gas station operation without the need for a gas station attendant to do so; or take any action related thereto. A Substitute Motion was approved, which would require stations to keep full serve for those who wanted it. The overall Article, with substitute motion, failed narrowly 46% voting in the affirmative on a majority vote.
| Article 19 |
To see if the Town will vote to designate an unnamed public way, located between 49 Spring Street and the Route 2 Frontage Road, as Magliozzi Boulevard, or take any action related thereto.
A motion was made to name a tiny street between Route 2 and the frontage road as Magliozzi Boulevard. Tom and Ray Magliozzi were the "Car Talk Guys" and had a wildly popular car show on NPR, created and recorded here in Boston at WBUR radio. Both brothers lived in Arlington at one time. Tom Magliozzi died a few years ago but Ray still lives here.
The Article was not supported by the Select Board, because there is an established Memorials commission that was the correct way to propose the honorary street. Perhaps because of the unusual way the article was proposed, Town Meeting did not support it (majority vote).
The Article was not supported by the Select Board, because there is an established Memorials commission that was the correct way to propose the honorary street. Perhaps because of the unusual way the article was proposed, Town Meeting did not support it (majority vote).
Article 20 VOTE/CODE ENFORCEMENT
To see if the Town will vote to grant enforcement power to a Code Enforcement Officer, in the Department of Planning & Community Development, for the purpose of enforcing provisions of the Town Bylaws and Zoning Bylaws that do not pertain to building standards, or take any action related thereto.
An Article was proposed to improve compliance with Town and Zoning Bylaws (think: snow shoveling, crazy window signs, too large fences etc). It wasn't properly crafted for what it intended and TM voted it down. It did seem a good thing, in principle. The town isn't doing a great job enforcing (via Inspectional Services) our codes/laws. Hopefully the proponent will propose a version that makes sense and can be supported by Town Meeting next year. It failed, as a substitute motion to the Select Board's recommended "No Action" vote.
Article 28 ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ ENHANCED BUSINESS DISTRICTS
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5 DISTRICT REGULATIONS to encourage pedestrian activity, maintain an active street, and limit the amount of ground floor retail space occupied by banks, offices, lobbies, and other non-active uses, when feasible; or take any action related thereto.
Because the "Mixed Use Law" which attempted to promote businesses by allowing accessory apartments has failed to support retail business so badly, the Planning Department entered this sensible article. However, the real point here is how BADLY our mixed use law has turned out. It should be altered to better support 1st floor businesses, especially retail and services that help our neighborhoods near those locations. Instead, apartment buildings without the requirements of size limitations, open space and adequate parking are being put in currently, like we see next to, and across from Stop and Shop.
