North Adams Cab Company Plans to RelocateBy Jack Guerino, iBerkshires Staff
03:54PM / Tuesday, September 16, 2014 | |
 The Zoning Board allowed City Cab to keep a second vehicle offsite within its home occupation permit for Houghton Street. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Zoning Board of Appeals continued a local taxi owner's home occupancy permit, however, he indicated he may move his office to Union Street.
The board met with City Cab owner Michael McMillian again Monday night to review the home occupancy permit he received in April.
The permit allows him to operate his business form his home at 257 Houghton St. He was also granted permission to park a second car at a second location on Tyler Street. McMillian had asked for the permit to be modified in August but the board postponed the request at that time.
With no major complaints from residents in the neighborhood, the board sustained the permit with the same conditions until further review or until McMillian secures a commercial office. McMillian said he should have an office at 176 Union St. with parking by Friday.
Zoning Officer William Meranti brought up issues the taxi service has had with the city. These accusations include employees smoking in the cabs, unregistered employees, and more than one outside employee. The home occupation permit only allows for one outside individual who does not live at the residence.
McMillian said he disagreed with the bylaws and wanted to know the reason for them.
"Whether or not I have 2 or 22 employees what difference does it make how many people I have working for me?" McMillian said. "…I just want someone to clarify that for me."
Chairman Donald Pecor said the bylaws are in place to protect residents.
"This is a home occupation and for better or for worse the rules are far more stringent," Pecor said. "It is in a neighborhood, and it's not given the same leeway as a business on Main Street."
He added the rules also ensure an even playing field for other businesses.
"Part of the home occupation bylaws is to guarantee a fair playing field so a person operating out of their home does not have a greater advantage over someone that is operating the same business somewhere else and paying rent," Pecor said.
McMillian said he felt the restrictions only hinder new businesses that want to expand
"I can see why this place is the way it is now," he said. "The restrictions are unbelievable; somebody wants to give money and time into a growing a business. It makes no sense."
Pecor added the board is only responsible for enforcing the ordinances and whatever issues McMillian has with the city is not the board's responsibility to address. He said the other issues have to come before the city.
If McMillian finds an office, he no longer has to work the Zoning Board and with current permit issues and it is mostly "out of their hands," Pecor said. He would, however, have to go in front of the Planning Board and enforcement officer to locate a new business.
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