Issue #1: Zoning By-law Changes or “Zoning by
Right”
The LACC
supports the current proposed zoning changes as presented to the
Executive Committee by the Lynn City Council Zoning Committee and
consultant Connery Associates. While this is a significant first
step, the proposal needs to be expanded to include other commercial
and industrial areas. Special permits required by the Lynn City
Council are one of the most significant development issues/obstacles
faced by entrepreneurs/investors in the city.
Issue #2: Inspectional Services and
Permitting
The City of
Lynn must improve in the areas of inspectional services and
permitting in order to promote economic development, grow the
commercial tax base, and create jobs. The LACC will support
initiatives aimed to accomplish the following:
-
Improve customer service of city
hall employees
-
“One-Stop” permitting system
-
“Over-the-Counter” permitting
system
-
Coordinated reviews of larger
projects that include all applicable city departments and the
proposed developer
-
Development of a “How to do
Business in Lynn” Guide
-
Automation of Building Department
records
-
A “Quick-Review” of permit
applications to check for completeness
-
A fast-track appeals process on
denied permits
Issue #3: Tax-Title
Property Liquidation
Since 1995, the
LACC has worked to develop a system by which City of Lynn tax-title
property would be returned to the tax-paying roles in a timely,
efficient, open manner. The benefits to the city of such a system
would include increased tax revenue, the reduction or elimination of
liability concerns, the creation of business and job opportunities,
and a reduction of neighborhood blight – especially in downtown.
There are two main issues that need to be addressed:
-
The city needs to develop a
complete and accurate list of all properties in its possession
-
A system must be developed to sell
current tax-title properties and any properties that come into
city possession in the future. Properties should be made ready
for sale and liquidated immediately.
Issue #4: High Commercial Property Tax
Rate
The City of
Lynn has historically had one of the highest commercial tax rates in
the entire state of Massachusetts. In order for Lynn to be
competitive for commercial growth and development, the high
commercial property tax rate must be addressed. There are three
strategies available to address this:
-
Promote/stimulate commercial and
residential tax base growth
-
Reduce city expenditures/budget
-
Change the commercial tax
classification formula
Issue #5: Rapid Transit Extension to Lynn
/ Transportation
LACC supports
the proposal for a rapid transit (Blue Line) extension to Lynn and
Salem, which would connect the city to Logan Airport and downtown
Boston. There are many benefits for the city if this proposal can
become a reality, including increased commercial and residential
property values.
A rapid transit
line to Lynn would also allow Lynn commercial property owners to bid
on state RFP’s for office space that include language requiring a
certain proximity to rapid transit.
The Issue #6: Develop a City of Lynn
Website
The
City of Lynn would be well served to develop a website to provide
residents and visitors important information about the city. Access
to public records, assessing records, city ordinances, department
information, and community links would be a tremendous service to
offer and most likely would reduce city hall staff time currently
allocated to addressing some of these issues. The LACC could help
to develop the website.
Issue #7: City Council Meetings on Public
Access Television
All Lynn City Council meetings should be
carried on public access television as required in the city contract
with cable services provider AT&T Broadband. Most other communities
currently provide this service to their residents. This service
would allow more Lynn citizens to have knowledge about the important
issues facing the city, and how members of the city council and
public stand on these issues.
Issue #8: Fiscal Restraint,
Budget, and Auditing
The LACC
supports the mayor-elect’s call for a top-to-bottom audit of the
city’s finances. Prudent fiscal management is crucial to avoiding
a financial crisis, keeping tax rates under control, and ensuring
that the city can continue to provide essential services to its
citizens. There is concern about the city’s abilities to meet its
financial obligations in the future. There should be a
comprehensive review of the next city budget on a
line-item-by-line-item basis.
Issue
#9: Public Safety
While much of
the street crime in downtown Lynn has abated over the past several
years, there is still a perception (within Lynn and also throughout
the region) that the downtown is not a safe place. In addition to
continued efforts by the police department and the street advocate,
Lynn needs to promote the successes that have been achieved. We
need to let residents, shoppers, employers, prospective employers,
employees, investors, and everyone else know that downtown Lynn is
safe and open for business.
Issue #10: Education and Workforce
Development
The LACC
believes that the City of Lynn must strive to continue improving the
educational opportunities for all residents. Most important is the
foundation of our educational system, K thru 12th grade.
Students must have an opportunity to receive an education that
prepares them for higher education or gives them the basic knowledge
necessary to be valuable and productive employees after graduating
from high school.
Other critical
education and workforce development organizations in the city of
Lynn can provide for a continuum of learning and development for our
residents, especially new immigrants. We need to support the efforts
of North Shore Community College, Operation Bootstrap, Catholic
Charities, and others that provide education and training for some
of our most disadvantaged residents. Through these programs, many
Lynn residents become employable and valuable in today’s labor
market.
Issue #11: Overall Cleanliness and General
Appearance
The Downtown
Revitalization Project is a solid first step in addressing a major
concern for many inside the city and outside the city. That is the
overall cleanliness and general appearance of the downtown, major
thoroughfares and gateways to the city. Lynn has suffered from a
negative image over the years and this is certainly a contributing
factor. While areas such as Lynn Shore Drive and Boston Street have
received upgrades in recent years, other areas now need attention.
A coordinated effort between the Lynn DPW and the Essex County
Sheriff's office could help to alleviate some of the trash and litter
problems in some of these areas
Issue #12: Various Other Issues
The LACC will
work on other issues on an “as needed” basis.
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