Lowell
Last 30 days
City Council Non-Profit Organizations Sub Committee
The Non-Profit Organizations Sub Committee will discuss Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action items and opioid abatement spending. These are discussion items only; no votes are scheduled.
- Discussion of CDBG action items
- Discussion of opioid abatement spending
City Council
The City Council will consider a motion to remove automatic CPI-based parking rate increases, requiring a majority vote for future hikes. The body will also vote on several city contracts, grant expenditures, and utility infrastructure petitions.
- Motion to change parking rate increases from automatic CPI adjustments to City Council vote
- Vote to accept and expend $28,000 Jail/Arrest Diversion Program Grant
- Vote to transfer $20,000 for the Disability Commission Revolving Fund
- Ordinance to amend Chapter 125 regarding Canvassers and Solicitors
- Multiple gas and electric utility petitions for Queen St, Central St, and Seventh Ave
School Committee
This is a special meeting of the Lowell School Committee with only procedural items: salute to flag, roll call, permission to enter, and adjournment. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed on the agenda.
Sustainability Council
The Sustainability Council will review minutes, receive a presentation on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, and discuss updates regarding the Specialized Stretch Code and the Urban Forest Project. The body will also address the Mass Save LSC Support letter and plan for the 2026 LSC Summit.
- Approval of May 28, 2026 minutes
- Presentation on Open Space and Recreation Plan
- Review of Mass Save LSC Support letter
- Update on Specialized Stretch Code
- Planning for 2026 LSC Summit
School Building Committee
The School Building Committee will review construction updates for the 1892 Coburn Hall renovation and discuss next steps. The meeting includes presentations on Phase 3 punchlist completion, Phase 4 scheduling, and a budget update.
- Accept minutes from May 21, 2026
- Review 1892 Coburn Hall renovation status
- Review Phase 3 punchlist completion
- Review Phase 4 schedule
- Review budget update
License Commission
The Commission is considering several special event permits for festivals, religious services, and public races. They will also hold public hearings regarding restaurant license transfers and alterations. Additionally, they are discussing a proposal to extend on-premises alcohol service hours.
- Public hearing: Altering premises license for The Lass Stop at 241 Central Street
- Public hearing: Transferring beverage license for Galaxy Lounge at 160 Merrimack Street
- Public hearing: Revising city regulations to extend alcohol service hours by one hour
- Special event permits for the Lowell Folk Festival and Kinetic Sculpture Race
- New restaurant license application for Mill Sports Lounge at 110 Gorham Street
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission will review several requests for work within wetland buffer zones. Key decisions include a subdivision for single-family homes and maintenance projects for a culvert and railroad right-of-way.
- Notice of Intent for 11 single-family homes at 71 North Billerica Road
- Request to clean out a culvert at 451 Black Brook Drive
- Request for herbicide weed control on Lowell Train Track Right-Of-Way by CSX Transportation
- Request to expand a deck at 37 Carly Way
Board of Parks
The Board is reviewing numerous permit applications for youth sports, community events, and private parties across city parks. The meeting also includes updates on the 'All Wheels Welcome' skate park project and a notice regarding parking lot repaving at Koumantzelis Park.
- Lowell Youth Field Hockey field permits totaling $5,200 in custodial fees
- Lowlow Pop Warner football/cheer practice and camp permits
- LHS Marching Band event at Cawley Stadium on September 19
- All Wheels Welcome project proposal for skate and bike park expansion
- Koumantzelis Park closure in August for parking lot repaving
Cultural Council
The Council is discussing organizational management, including social media strategy and member recruitment. Members are also planning the upcoming Lowell Artisan Market and a grantee reception.
- Lowell Artisan Market planning
- Cambodiatown Public Art panels extension request
- Social media management discussion
- Council member recruitment efforts
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to review applications for motor vehicle excise tax abatements submitted between June 8 and June 12. The board will determine which requests to grant or deny.
- Review of motor vehicle excise tax abatement applications
The Board of Assessors approved FY27 Q1 warrants and commitments totaling $48,279,124.86 for real estate, personal property, and CPA. They also approved motor vehicle excise tax abatements and denied four abatement requests. One FY27 3ABC application was approved unanimously.
- Approved FY27 Q1 warrants: Real Estate $44,932,645.27, Personal Property $3,034,887.82, CPA $311,591.77
- Approved MVE26C3 excise warrant: $691,284.87
- Approved motor vehicle excise abatements (weeks of May 18-June 5) by signatures
- Denied 4 motor vehicle excise abatements
- Approved one FY27 3ABC application (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of May 28, 2026 (unanimous)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider several variance requests, including converting a building into commercial and studio units, legalizing a third unit, and constructing a commercial building in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District.
- Hear variance request for 123 University Ave (2 commercial units, 12 studios)
- Hear variance request for 24 Staples Street (legalize 3rd unit)
- Hear variance request for 256.2 Market Street (3-story commercial building)
- Hear variance request for 38 & 49 Casco Street (single-family home)
- Approve minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting
School Committee Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee
The Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee will continue discussing professional development, specifically the Professional Learning Plan for ARC (American Reading Company) and EL Education. No votes or decisions are expected at this meeting.
- Continued discussion of Professional Learning Plan for ARC and EL Education
School Committee
The Lowell School Committee will discuss a proposed homeschooling policy, a budget modification request, and reports on changes to the K-12 school assignment policy and autism education. The meeting also includes recognition of retirees, approval of previous minutes, and several requests for student travel.
- Proposed Home Schooling Policy
- Budget Modification Request
- Response to Motion on proposed changes to K-12 School Assignment Policy
- Approval to accept and expend allocated FY26 awards
- International travel request for LHS students to Italy and Greece
City Council Public Safety Sub Committee
The Lowell City Council Public Safety Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Citizen Advisory Committee and the Lowell Police Department. They will then discuss a petition covering four public safety topics: emergency vehicle warnings, independent accident reviews for police crashes, evidence collection procedures, and safety in dense urban and campus areas.
- Presentation from Citizen Advisory Committee / LPD
- Discussion of petition on emergency vehicle warnings
- Discussion of petition on independent accident review for police crashes
- Discussion of petition on evidence collection procedures
- Discussion of petition on public safety in dense urban and campus areas
City Council
The council will vote on various Community Preservation Fund recommendations and several large grants for the police and city infrastructure. Members will also consider motions regarding school HVAC issues, traffic safety, and budget stressors.
- Accept/expend $1,275,000 MassDOT Grant
- Accept/expend $1,546,800 SSYI Grant for LPD
- Accept two $22,500 gifts from Spectrum Health Systems for Fire and Police
- Approve FY27 Community Preservation Fund budget and various project allocations
- Public hearing regarding a Special Permit amendment for Rivers Edge
Planning Board
The Planning Board will discuss three development proposals: a 30-unit residential conversion at 71 Willie Street, a 12-unit apartment and commercial conversion at 123 University Ave, and a subdivision to build a single-family home at 202 Barker Ave. They will also vote on minutes from the previous meeting.
- Convert 71 Willie Street to 30 residential units
- Convert 123 University Ave to 2 commercial + 12 studio apartments
- Subdivide lot at 202 Barker Ave for new single-family home
- Site Plan Review and Special Permit requests
- Definitive Subdivision Plan approval
License Commission
The License Commission will hold public hearings on applications for a new all-alcohol restaurant license at 72 Merrimack St. (Europa) and a transfer/relocation of a wine and malt package store license to 590 Rogers St. (Simon's Convenience). They will also consider multiple one-day alcohol licenses for events including UMass Lowell receptions, a block party, and a religious festival. A communication regarding MA House Bill 5465 to extend alcohol service hours will be discussed.
- Public hearing: new all-alcohol restaurant license for Europa at 72 Merrimack St., 3rd floor
- Public hearing: transfer of package store license to 590 Rogers St. (Simon's Convenience)
- Discussion of MA House Bill 5465 to extend on-premises alcohol hours and designate public consumption districts
- Applications for one-day licenses: WindSTAR reception, Sao Joao Feast, Western Ave Block Party, religious singing at South Common
- Change of officers for non-profit club license (Knickerbocker Athletic) and Outback Steakhouse restaurant license
The Lowell License Commission approved a new all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for Europa at 72 Merrimack Street, subject to egress and lighting conditions. It also approved several special one-day liquor licenses, a package store license transfer, and changes of officers for existing licenses. Additionally, the commission scheduled public hearings for future applications and placed a complaint regarding an auto dealer on file.
- Approved minutes of May 28, 2026 (4-0)
- Approved two special one-day liquor licenses for UMass Lowell events (4-0)
- Approved three special one-day liquor licenses and amplification permits for São João Feast (4-0)
- Approved four amplified outdoor entertainment permits for religious services on Summer Street (4-0)
- Approved four special one-day liquor licenses for Hellenic Center events (4-0)
- Approved special one-day liquor license for Western Avenue Open Studios Block Party (4-0)
- Approved change of officers and license manager for Knickerbocker Athletic Association all-alcohol club license (4-0)
- Approved change of officers for Outback Steakhouse all-alcohol restaurant license (4-0)
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will review minutes from May 28 and act on motor vehicle excise tax abatement applications for three periods, including denials. They will also discuss FY27 3ABC, Q1 warrants and commitments, and excise warrants.
- Motor vehicle excise abatements for weeks of May 18-22, May 25-29, June 1-5
- List of MVE abatements recommended for denial
- FY27 Q1 warrants and commitments
- Excise warrants and commitments
The Board approved motor vehicle excise tax abatements for two weeks and two FY27 3ABC applications. All votes were unanimous. No new or old business was discussed.
- Approved minutes from May 5, 2026 (unanimous)
- Approved motor vehicle excise abatements for week of May 4-8 (by signatures)
- Approved motor vehicle excise abatements for week of May 11-15 (by signatures)
- Approved two FY27 3ABC applications (unanimous)
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission closed the public hearing and continued it to June 24, 2026, for a Notice of Intent to subdivide 71 North Billerica Road into 11 single-family homes, with portions in the 100-foot wetland buffer zone and floodplain. Chair Buitenhuys recused himself. No final decision was made on the project.
- Closed public hearing for FTO Realty Trust subdivision (4-0)
- Continued Notice of Intent to June 24, 2026 (4-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The board approved a variance for a new garage at 80 Mansur Street, with conditions requiring two shade trees. The applicant requested relief from front yard setback and height requirements. A separate continuance was granted for a mixed-use project at 123 University Ave.
- Approved variance for garage at 80 Mansur St (5-0) with conditions: two shade trees
- Continued ZBA-2026-15 (123 University Ave mixed-use) to June 22 meeting
- Approved minutes of 5/28/2026 (5-0)