Development Services Eric Slagle News Today

LOWELL — Housing — or the lack thereof — dominated Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Almost a dozen agenda items dealt with whether and how to implement Lowell’s housing-first strategy, including on the yearlong discussion on accessory dwelling units.

IN JUST two months, the leadership of City Manager Tom Golden and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon showed how executive-level decision-making and decisive action can dramatically shape the look and feel of the city and inspire confidence in its governance.

LOWELL — More than one year ago, City Councilor John Drinkwater submitted a motion requesting the Department of Planning and Development draft an accessory dwelling unit ordinance. It will finally get a public hearing at the council’s Tuesday night meeting and may come to a historic — or histrionic — vote.

LOWELL — By a vote of 8-3, city councilors decided that the decision on the proposed accessory dwelling unit ordinance should be voted on by the council, and rejected Councilor Erik Gitschier's motion requesting that City Manager Tom Golden have the Law Department prepare a vote to place a nonbinding referendum regarding zoning for ADUs on November's ballot.