Council Kills Used Car Lot Plan for East Broadway

Haverhill City Hall. (WHAV News file photograph.)

After lengthy debate and reconsideration, a proposed 10-vehicle used car lot on East Broadway near Groveland Street was ultimately defeated by the Haverhill City Council by a vote of 7 to 1 last night.

Councilors Tuesday night initially voted 6 to 2 against the original request by Ideal Service Center for a special permit to allow 10 vehicles to be sold on the property of an auto repair shop at 7-9 East Broadway. Many community members voiced concerns about potential impacts to the neighborhood, including parking spaces and traffic and safety issues for pedestrians.

During a reconsideration, a proposed amendment by Councilor William J. Macek to limit four vehicles for sale within a rear enclosure fell by a 5 to 3 vote, one vote short of a required two thirds majority. With that, councilors cast a final 7 to 1 vote against the original 10-vehicle proposal.

Councilor William H. Ryan abstained from voting. His nephew was one of the opponents of granting the permit.