To the editor:
It is clear that approving the hotel overlay district zoning for a hotel on Commercial Street will benefit the city for the long-term future.
Not only is City Council's vote for the overlay important for this one project, but it is also symbolic in the city taking a step in a positive new direction.
I'm sure that the anti-development crowd has sent a lot more emails and made a lot more phone calls than the pro-crowd. However, that is because pro-HOD people were hoping that the City Council would use common sense and make the decision on the merits of the project and how it will benefit the entire city, vs. who yells the loudest.
From the work I've done via research, feedback from my letters to the editor, Planning Board meetings, social media, outbound phone calls and in general conversation, I believe about 90 percent of the city residents support the HOD and continued smart development in our city.
I am confident that the council will continue to reflect that.
Steve Cefalo
Gloucester
