Revere — The Revere City Council voted to grant a special permit for a proposed Caruso Park-and-Fly parking structure, approving the zoning subcommittee’s favorable recommendation by roll-call vote on Feb. 20.

Councilor Agenzio said the zoning subcommittee reviewed special permit application 205016 and voted favorably. During discussion several councilors asked whether existing businesses on the parcel would remain once the parking structure is built. A city representative clarified that "all the current businesses on the site would be eliminated and the only business would be the proposed commercial parking structure."

Council President Silvestri and other members spoke in favor, saying the structure could be the start of a larger redevelopment of Squire Road and help accommodate students and future development. After a formal roll call the motion passed unanimously with all councilors recorded as "Yes." The clerk read the vote: Egencio, Cogliandro, Giannino, Greeno Sawaya, Haas, Hermeo, Kelly, McKenna, Novosalski, Zambuto and Council President Silvestri all voted yes; the special permit was granted "subject to the findings and conditions of site plan review."

Why it matters: Councilors framed the permit as an early step toward redevelopment of the Squire Road corridor. Several councilors emphasized that the parcel will no longer host the existing commercial enterprises once the permitted structure is constructed.

What’s next: The special permit will be implemented consistent with the approved site plan conditions; city staff and applicants will proceed with permitting and construction steps.

Quotes

"We just met in the zoning subcommittee to go over the special permit... The committee voted favorably," Councilor Agenzio said.

"All the current businesses on the site would be eliminated and the only business would be the proposed commercial parking structure," a city representative said.

Ending: The City Council’s unanimous approval clears the way for the applicant to proceed under the conditions of the site plan review; the project will return to staff-level permitting and inspections as required.