[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6369204,"mediaKeyId","2155145-c5db775d6f840797e75f78d99c8e3ef2","parentId",2155145,"title","Inspection Services urges Lynn commission to require lodging-house licensing after inspections find overcrowding and safety concerns","audioSeconds",969,"startMs",920150,"endMs",1889560,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155145-c5db775d6f840797e75f78d99c8e3ef2&start=920&end=1889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155145-c5db775d6f840797e75f78d99c8e3ef2/thumbnail_920150.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6369204/Lynn-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Inspection-Services-urges-Lynn-commission-to-require-lodging-house-licensing-after-inspections-find-overcrowding-and-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369204-ff2e8bfae3b8fe4ab0c22c3d1b2de84a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143533&Signature=MNd8BtF~ZCutLaej5BF6bS~pQ~zLO9MggpBv1PVjBoK4vigSGPbAISQXvywRh6rreO0AjOeLSRcouml89raGqnzM6ue~Bawy13jwV8qn59vkmtws-hAuAJuegN9fgPpCA4tv0nxrq47xGrcMwrViuqHjJyLg0YFiZOYNdwBojh1mNvipjb5hl7I4-e7A7MpCxd3smBFHOb3TaIKIEfYIk4IGV-DOVzehAKeTS0BkI4dxt5gMg~5mbbR292QQs2TcaPj-MySZZLXrBRxYUMYLm~ahnAxN22jLus~-rnFeN0njwY6gPpofCsCRLwGppHqC0Uhf5sctB5hIC5DiXdgFyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynn City, MA","date","2025-01-24T00:00:00Z","article","Inspection Services told the Lynn City Licensing Commission that routine inspections and tenant complaints have uncovered properties that appear to be operating as lodging houses or sober homes without required licensing and with potential public-safety and sanitary-code violations.

The inspection representative said many properties—possibly hundreds, according to the department’s view—are being used to rent rooms to individuals and that some units have padlocks on bedroom doors, overcrowded basements and attics, inadequate egress, and poor sanitary conditions. Under state law as described in the meeting, a dwelling with six or more unrelated persons may meet the city’s definition of a lodging house and therefore require a lodging-house license and inspections.

Why this matters: Unlicensed lodging houses with overcrowding, insufficient egress, or inadequate heat and sanitation can create public-safety hazards and expose the city to liability if officials have knowledge of unsafe conditions and do not act. Requiring licensing would enable more frequent inspections and fire-safety reviews.

Key points from the discussion
- Inspections and scale: Inspection Services reported that city reviewers encounter potential lodging-house conditions primarily during the once-every-five-years inspection cycle for multi-family units and that many problematic properties may not be captured by that schedule.
- Sober houses and vulnerable populations: Staff noted many of the properties identified are sober houses or facilities housing vulnerable tenants; the department said those tenants may be reluctant to complain and that some operators receive state funds tied to placements. The department named one facility (141 North Common Street) that had been removed from a state list and noted a history of allegations in at least one federal-court matter (as described to the commission).
- Zoning and legal limits: The commission was told that state law prevents zoning every sober house out of a neighborhood and that federal disability-discrimination laws could limit local restrictions on sober-house locations. However, the licensing board does have discretion to determine whether a lodging-house license is appropriate in a given area based on safety and neighborhood character in some circumstances.
- Enforcement capacity: The department said the city currently has one zoning enforcement officer and suggested three would enable substantially greater enforcement coverage. Staff said a multi-agency task force, including Fire, Health and Inspection Services, is convening to develop coordinated responses.

Commission direction and actions
- The commission voted to place a presentation from Inspection Services on the Feb. agenda so staff can present inspection findings and recommended next steps. Outcome: motion approved.
- Inspection Services plans to draft a letter for the commission’s licensing process that would notify owners the city believes the property meets the lodging-house definition and invite them to apply for a lodging-house license; staff said the letter would be circulated to the board in advance of the Feb. meeting. Outcome: staff direction (preparation and circulation of letters).
- Legal follow-up: Commission members discussed the potential need for law-department involvement for properties that do not comply after notification; staff indicated legal action might be appropriate for some operators. Outcome: potential referral to law department (discussion; no formal vote recorded).

What the record does and does not show
The transcript includes a lengthy presentation by Inspection Services describing recurring unsafe or overcrowded conditions and a request that the commission authorize outreach and licensing steps. The record shows the commission approved placing the topic on the Feb. agenda and asked for a written recommendation and presentation from Inspection Services; it does not record a decision to adopt a citywide ban or to change zoning. The transcript records concerns about litigation risk and federal disability-discrimination limits on zoning for sober houses; those legal constraints were described by staff in the meeting, not decided by the commission.

Next steps
Inspection Services will prepare and circulate a draft letter identifying properties it believes meet the lodging-house definition and will present findings at the Feb. meeting. The commission, Fire Department and the law department may consider enforcement or legal referrals for noncompliant operators following the Feb. presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynn License Commission Meeting | January 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Inspection Services told the Lynn City Licensing Commission that routine inspections have identified properties that may be operating as unlicensed lodging houses or sober homes with overcrowding and safety problems.","taxTitle","Lynn City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4045,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6369211,"Lynn City licensing commission approves multiple license transfers and one-day permits; motion to suspend Tula Flava not seconded",654,52890,707490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155145-c5db775d6f840797e75f78d99c8e3ef2&start=52&end=707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155145-c5db775d6f840797e75f78d99c8e3ef2/thumbnail_52890.jpg","/articles/6369211/Lynn-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Lynn-City-licensing-commission-approves-multiple-license-transfers-and-one-day-permits-motion-to-suspend-Tula-Flava-not-seconded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369211-793902711ca3753e2690e77eae81533a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143533&Signature=OMieTcXYrGqT~VxDHOa43UjIRyguG4OcTzpJ-j2IAITPnBNrcN74PkoVvf5WRA-hWY49ttVXWFwgeI4e1OCgObPCzfIfojJItef5KL7~xF5GidMG-DaNJWwDlhYnNhzol6YhadAR~-57mV0yChz-csKe7eqqqq4w3LoeyQyl6El9NlJepSvdSEZxejO8X8nkUTrgRsMxnDqyvOAOfy8P7Pic2jI7EPSGkz43f1hAINbH8AcDjLU-WzJXbTMmC7QIjyiU4KUhS3nfS3h-2dx9-QLDa07HahjADOvcLsrX0n84Eya9ozogcCjvb-H9kL0ubsETouvhJVLNJbDbyRh2hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynn City Licensing Commission on an unspecified date approved a series of alcohol license transfers, one-day event permits and routine renewals while declining to act on an immediate suspension of Tula Flava’s entertainment license after the licensee failed to appear at a hearing.

Commission members approved one-day event permits for a Lunar New Year festival at the Lynn Museum on Feb. 8 (11 a.m.–4 p.m., expected attendance about 100, free admission) and two live-music events at 25 Exchange Street on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, according to meeting records. The commission also approved multiple transfer applications that involve changes in ownership or stock interests for retail and restaurant liquor licenses.

Why this matters: Liquor-license transfers and one-day permits determine which businesses may sell alcohol and host public events in Lynn; renewals and approvals affect neighborhood businesses and public-safety oversight. The commission’s procedural decisions can also trigger inspections or conditions tied to public-safety reports.

Most important actions and outcomes
- One-day event permits: The commission approved three one-day licenses covering the Lynn Museum Lunar New Year Festival (Feb. 8) and live-music events at 25 Exchange Street on Feb. 14–15 (applicants listed in the record). Outcome: approved.
- Transfer: Tejeda Restaurant Group, doing business as Waco Buffet (recent purchaser of El Pacifico, 23 Central Ave.), submitted a transfer application for an alcohol-restaurant license. The application was presented by an attorney for the applicant, who said fees and paperwork had been submitted and that the applicant believes it is in compliance. The commission voted to approve the transfer. Outcome: approved.
- Stock/ownership transfers: The commission approved a change of ownership interest for Eknath LLC (a 50% LLC member interest transferred to a family member; stated that manager Janelle Patel will remain in place). Outcome: approved.
- Stock transfer: Archer of Arts Corporation (doing business as Enjoy Liquors) reported an internal stock gift that would make Ashok Kumar Patel the 90% owner, with Jay Patel and Herschel Patel holding 5% each; the commission approved the transfer. Outcome: approved.
- Transfer: Ayesha Corporation (operating as Liquor & Food Market at 53 Unit Street) by Harsha Patel was approved. Outcome: approved.
- Suspension of entertainment license for Tula Flava (Tula Fuego): A commissioner moved to suspend the entertainment license because no representative attended the hearing; the motion was not seconded and therefore did not proceed. Outcome: no action (motion not seconded).
- Police reports and enforcement follow-up: The commission agreed to place police reports on the Feb. agenda and to invite Captain Chris Kelly or a police representative to present. Outcome: direction to put police reports on the Feb. agenda (motion passed).
- Common victualler and entertainment renewals: The commission approved the list of common victualler and entertainment renewals submitted for the current renewal cycle. Outcome: approved.

Discussion and procedure
Commission leadership read applications and witnesses or counsel presented on behalf of applicants. For several stock-transfer matters the presenters said operations, hours and floor plans would remain unchanged while ownership shares shifted among family members. For the Tejeda application the presenter said required fees and paperwork had been submitted and asked for approval so the file could move forward with regulatory bodies.

A motion to suspend Tula Flava’s entertainment license was raised after the licensee did not appear for the hearing; a commissioner explicitly proposed suspension until the Feb. meeting but the motion failed for lack of a second, so the commission took no suspension action at that time. Separately, commissioners directed staff to include police reports on the Feb. agenda and to request a police presentation at that meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Minutes, Dec. 12, 2024: motion to approve — outcome: approved (record shows affirmative votes were recorded).
- One-day licenses (Lynn Museum Lunar New Year; live music at 25 Exchange Street Feb. 14–15): motion to approve — outcome: approved.
- Transfer to Tejeda Restaurant Group (El Pacifico, 23 Central Ave.): motion to approve — outcome: approved.
- Eknath LLC change of ownership interest (50% transfer): motion to approve — outcome: approved.
- Archer of Arts Corporation stock transfer (ownership percentages changed): motion to approve — outcome: approved.
- Ayesha Corporation (Liquor & Food Market, 53 Unit Street): motion to approve — outcome: approved.
- Motion to suspend Tula Flava entertainment license (for nonappearance): motion introduced; not seconded — outcome: no action.
- Move police reports and invite Captain Kelly for Feb. meeting: motion to place on Feb. agenda — outcome: approved.
- Common victualler and entertainment renewals: motion to approve list — outcome: approved.

What the record does and does not show
The commission record documents motions, seconding where recorded, and affirmative votes for multiple license transfers, one-day permits and renewals. The meeting transcript records statements by attorneys representing applicants and by commission members about procedural compliance; it does not show a finalized suspension action against Tula Flava because the suspension motion was not seconded. The transcript also records the commission’s direction that police reports be discussed at the Feb. meeting.

Next steps
Transfer approvals will proceed through the standard administrative processing for license transfers and renewals. The commission asked staff to place police reports on the Feb. agenda and to request a police representative to attend. Any licensee failing to appear at a future hearing could face renewed suspension action or other enforcement depending on subsequent motions and votes.","The Lynn City Licensing Commission approved several liquor-license transfers, one-day event permits and renewals, and voted to move police reports to the Feb. meeting; a proposed suspension of Tula Flava’s entertainment license was proposed but received no second.","actionData","errors"]

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Inspection Services urges Lynn commission to require lodging-house licensing after inspections find overcrowding and safety concerns

Lynn City licensing commission approves multiple license transfers and one-day permits; motion to suspend Tula Flava not seconded