PEABODY — City Council hopeful James Moutsoulas wants his old job back.

But this time around, he is seeking an at-large seat, not the Ward 3 seat he occupied from 1985 to 1997. His focus is on zoning and the impact changes to the city's existing ordinance could have on Peabody's downtown. The stakes are high.

"Once you make a zoning change," Moutsoulas said, "you can't reverse it."

His experience as a ward councilor qualifies him to help decide the area's future, he said. Moutsoulas believes that the city needs to be more proactive in recruiting businesses to come downtown.

"You have to go out and bring the businesses in," he said.

He highlighted success he said he had opposing high-density residential development during his stint on the council as evidence it can be done.

Moutsoulas said he opposed a plan to transform an old leather factory on Webster Street into hundreds of apartments. To prevent the development, he went out and found a business — Peabody Auto Recycling Plant — to locate in the building. Its presence sparked other businesses to follow, and the seven-story building was eventually filled, Moutsoulas said.

Moutsoulas said the skills he honed running Atlas Staffing would serve him well on the council. He now sells real estate and owns a barbershop on Tremont Street.

He hasn't made up his mind about whether to support an increase in the meals or hotel tax in Peabody. He is also undecided about whether the city, given the high cost, should send students to the new regional vocational high school. The price for Peabody could be as high as $9.5 million.

"I support the concept," he said, "but I have to see the bottom line first."

JAMES MOUTSOULAS

Address: 9 Sprague St.

Age: 64

Occupation: Real estate sales, barber

Education: Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, 1964

Elected office: City Council, 1985-1997

Family: Wife, Linda; daughters, Demi, 29, Amber, 21

Will you accept the city's health insurance coverage? "I accept it already as a city retiree."

Grade the mayor's performance: B+