Executive Summary
The Malden City Council meeting on September 8, 2026, focused on significant zoning reforms and public safety technology oversight. The Council successfully ordained updated definitions for medical centers and massage therapy salons and enrolled an ordinance to permit residential cottage food operations effective January 1, 2027. Major discussions were held regarding proposed amendments to inclusionary zoning and non-conforming use regulations, both of which were referred to the Rules and Ordinance Committee for further study. Additionally, the Council passed a resolution to conduct a comprehensive, transparent review of the city's contract and data policies with Flock Safety regarding automated license plate readers, referring the matter to a Committee of the Whole for public deliberation.
Opening and Roll Call
- Meeting Date: September 8, 2026
- Governing Body: Malden City Council
- Attendees: Council President Linehan; Councillors Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, and Winslow.
- Moments of Silence: Observed for residents Peggy Logan, Yogi Howes, and Bob Doolittle, as well as the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Public Comment
- Cottage Food Operations: Lilia Hadoush (Crestview Drive), Robin DiOrio (Salem Street), and Marlene Gower (Webster Street) spoke in favor of allowing residential kitchens, citing economic opportunity and cultural diversity.
- Inclusionary Zoning: Katie Dhillon (Mount Vernon Street) and several email commenters supported Paper 335-26, arguing that current requirements are too high to stimulate affordable housing construction.
- Flock Safety (ALPR): Police Chief Mark Gatcombe provided a detailed statement on the department's use of Flock Safety technology. He emphasized that it is an "investigative tool," not a surveillance tool, noting a restrictive 7-day data retention policy and strict supervisory oversight for searches. Conversely, several residents submitted emails expressing concerns over privacy, AI misuse, and data sharing with federal agencies.
Appointments and Elections
- Items: Papers 361-26 through 368-26, including appointments to the Council on Aging, Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability, Public Works Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- Action: All appointments were referred to the Personnel Committee for review. Councillor Crowe noted that the committee would review concerns raised during public comment regarding city employees serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Paper 335-26)
- Overview: OSPCD Director Alex Pratt presented a refresher on the proposed updates to the 2021 Inclusionary Zoning policy.
- Key Proposals:
- Lowering the affordability threshold from 15% to 10% of units.
- Adjusting the income threshold from 50% to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) for rentals.
- Standardizing parking requirements to one space per unit for inclusionary projects.
- Increasing density bonuses for 100% affordable projects.
- Action: Referred to the Rules and Ordinance Committee. The Council must take action by November 10, 2026.
Residential Kitchens and Cottage Food Operations (Paper 263-26)
- Overview: Proposed amendments to allow "Retail Residential Kitchens" as a home occupation, aligned with Massachusetts state guidelines for non-perishable goods.
- Action: Enrolled as amended.
- Amendment: The ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2027, to allow the Board of Health time to establish local regulations.
- Vote: Unanimously enrolled (10-0).
Medical Center and Licensed Massage Therapy Salon Definitions (Paper 326-26)
- Overview: Updates definitions in Title 12 to include modern medical uses such as IV wellness and Botox injections.
- Action: Ordained. The Council suspended rules to ordain the paper following a unanimous roll call vote (10-0).
Non-Conforming Uses and Use Regulations (Papers 325-26 and 327-26)
- Paper 325-26: Proposed allowing pre-existing non-conforming uses to expand by special permit. Referred to Rules and Ordinance Committee following concerns from Councillor Winslow regarding "guardrails" for specific industries like self-storage.
- Paper 327-26: Proposed changing various uses (e.g., medical centers, hotels, supermarkets) from special permit requirements to "by right" or "site plan review." Referred to Rules and Ordinance Committee to address Planning Board recommendations regarding fast food restaurants and the creation of a Site Plan Review Committee.
Flock Safety Program Review (Paper 369-26)
- Resolution: A resolve calling for a "complete review of the flock safety program as presented by the city solicitor, Police Chief, Malden Police Community Advisory Council, and Controller's Office."
- Discussion: Councillors Colón Hayes and O'Malley emphasized the need for transparency regarding data retention, sharing practices with other municipalities (currently 87 in MA), and audit trails.
- Action: Resolve passed; matter referred to a Committee of the Whole for a future public hearing.
Tabled Papers and Adjournment
- Paper 321-26: A petition from National Grid and Verizon was removed from the table and placed on file as it was withdrawn by the petitioner for redrawing.
- Announcements: Noted upcoming events including the Hispanic Heritage Festival (Sept 19), the Fairy House Festival (Sept 19), and the 9/11 Memorial Program at District 1 Fire Station.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:11 PM.