Keenan Leads Fight to Preserve Neighborhoods

John has a proven record of fighting to preserve Quincy's neighborhoods.  “One of the things I highlighted when I first ran for the City Council,” said Keenan, “was preserving our neighborhoods.”  Last year Keenan drafted and introduced the Residence B Moratorium, a measure that halted multi-family development that was out of character with the City’s neighborhoods.  “It was clear that multi-unit developments were destroying the character of many of our neighborhoods,” stated Keenan.  “Although the moratorium was somewhat controversial, it stopped these developments and gave us the opportunity to prepare reasonable zoning restrictions in order to preserve our neighborhoods.”  Keenan served on a subcommittee that drafted amendments to the City's Residence B Zoning Ordinance.  The zoning amendments were designed to keep future development more complementary to the surrounding neighborhoods, and were passed by the City Council.

        The Council also passed Keenan’s ordinance that halted the paving of entire front yards.  “The unchecked paving of front yards was unsightly, and was causing drainage problems,” noted Keenan.  “The ordinance which I introduced limits the amount of paving, prohibits the parking of vehicles on lawns, and yet does provide for off-street parking.” 

Keenan also co-sponsored the resolve, which called for a Code Enforcement Officer.  “The Code Enforcement Officer has been busy in the neighborhoods, advising residents of the City’s ordinances pertaining to such things as paving, parking, when to put trash out, and illegal apartments.  “As the population of our City continues to grow, it becomes even more important to keep our focus on the neighborhoods,” said Keenan.