"Any place that you exclude [from zoning], business will take over," Baring-Gould added to substantial applause. "Business is taking over."
Mayor Anthony D. Galluccio closed the council's discussion of the matter by reminding the audience that the city is in the midst of a boom period and that a balanced approach on the regulation of development could prove beneficial in leaner times.
"We have to be mindful that these good times should not be taken for granted," he said.
But though there was little agreement at last night's meeting, Toomey said he regarded the widespread disenchantment with the revised plan as a signal that an adequate compromise had been made.
"If everyone is not happy, we will have accomplished something," Toomey said, adding that the theme of the night was the Rolling Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
--Staff writer Lauren R. Dorgan can be reached at dorgan@fas.harvard.edu.