[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6206429,"mediaKeyId","3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c","parentId",3762811,"title","Council, planning board consider rezoning parcels on Central Street to commercial overlay","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",2237000,"endMs",2515000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c&start=2237&end=2515","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c/thumbnail_2237000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206429/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Council-planning-board-consider-rezoning-parcels-on-Central-Street-to-commercial-overlay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206429-ab8f1ee318fa70db725648069becddf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173077&Signature=WioXodNrK0UIk08ALOU36sUxiyAIb7xkwmKIOttJICbIR~hsExTT2oSr8lCt-booHhs1KliZFOrd~A2tTkW0QHUbWqwAIMMOIuR4lXZhDsy0m99wM~j1O4Wrv7VdiFGnWgvofAGd4Fh3qwAIm68BDTqvgGzSXNQ9H0nReFeuunpw-zN7QyjO92SsyuZomyGBDYJfElfEMV5iLOgS1q~HIOAfUO~mywx9XZFqe-82Rnf7GmTVldEuA3m7Wa4Pcu3Wbkg0Pyc1qp5ZlkAY3OhoLHwHAz0A6aQn-5USzm50lcfUzR0Hp1a5yMh4GPdegjJIGE5CFsU4caJqStKVyXe6Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gardner City, MA","date","2025-06-11T12:35:00.98Z","article","The Gardner City Council and Planning Board on June 9, 2025 held a joint public hearing on a petition to add a commercial overlay and to change zoning on designated parcels along Central Street from General Residential 3 (GR3) to Commercial 1, with the stated goal of enabling small businesses to expand without repeatedly seeking use variances.

Director Stevens said the amendment is intended to encourage growth for small business property owners along Central Street, describing the corridor as “the ever growing commercial backbone that is existing in downtown.” Mike Nicholson, speaking for the administration, said the proposal would “cut back some of the red tape” in the city’s zoning ordinance and would allow overlay designations while keeping underlying residential zoning and grandfathering protections for existing residences.

Attorney Christine Tree, who represented the applicant earlier in the hearing, recounted that about three years ago she had to pursue a use variance for the Chair City Diner in this same district and that the “current uses do not reflect the zoning.” She said the amendment would better align zoning with existing mixed uses and help rehabilitate buildings such as the Syndicate Block (also referenced as Casa La Grama/The Boardwalk), which Councilor Brooks noted is currently zoned residential despite commercial uses.

Councilor Brooks praised the inclusion of the Syndicate Block among parcels proposed for the overlay, saying the change could facilitate rehabilitation of a historic mixed‑use building. No speakers registered opposition during public comment. The joint public hearing for item 11533 was opened and closed on June 9; the council did not adopt the amendment at the meeting.

No formal vote or ordinance adoption occurred at the June 9 hearing; the item will proceed through the city’s zoning amendment process for further consideration and any required votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gardner City Council Meeting Jun 9 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A petition proposed adding a commercial overlay to certain Central Street parcels (rezoning from GR3 to Commercial 1) to reduce permitting barriers for existing small businesses and encourage downtown reinvestment; the administration expressed support and no public opposition was recorded at the hearing.","taxTitle","Gardner City, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",60679,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206433,"Gardner to update floodplain overlay to match new FEMA FIRM maps effective July 8, 2025",75,1906000,1981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c&start=1906&end=1981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c/thumbnail_1906000.jpg","/articles/6206433/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-to-update-floodplain-overlay-to-match-new-FEMA-FIRM-maps-effective-July-8-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206433-69a30fd976d0b0e64c2670ba4803b467/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173077&Signature=TuYevy3Fa5Kv3je0lqfAEKqnSnc53-rI4CBRdSAoR-0xtuofZuB3rubSlRH4i3Gm-ff8JAzUZv9h6dO4cvDYbMhjnOmuxmGnGZCxjfftZf-f2wyIGBi9NZmckhpGpDd5LUvlMAj4-0Je-rUMotNmTDtWkAmerYVLMQwH9jhs7CiMTvM4kSZl9YX4DEuW0arHjzndAymzi0MW0Hf6UVqH8Jbj-a69T8Vq4AKkT2Y5gRo1D7M~wWoB9FmWhWKrsI0U0m8IzMcazkOQICrX1AAXnshSd-b8P-kka5Javrcoz9pFMlh72iCJrLCvvrK4gT9yjS-ItClEclw2sF62qpUBQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gardner City Council and Planning Board held a joint public hearing June 9, 2025 on a zoning amendment to update the Floodplain Protection Overlay District (Chapter 6.75) to conform to revised Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) that take effect July 8, 2025.

Director Stevens and the city engineering office said the amendments are largely bookkeeping to align local definitions and procedures with the state model and FEMA requirements. Director Stevens explained that the Department of Conservation and Recreation contacted the city as part of the FIRM updates, and that the revisions are required for continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). He told the hearing the city must complete the update by July 8 to remain compliant.

City Engineer (identified in the hearing as Dave) said mapping changes are not extensive but noted that in some places updated mapping has “tightened up and shrunk down a little bit,” meaning some previously mapped floodplain areas may be reduced, and he encouraged property owners to consult the updated maps posted on the city website. The engineering office provided certified correspondence received from FEMA to the city clerk as part of the record, the administration said.

Mike Nicholson, speaking for the administration, said the city supports the amendment and reiterated that the changes are necessary to ensure residents’ access to flood insurance and to implement technical changes FEMA requires.

No speakers registered formal opposition during the public comment period. The joint public hearing for item 11519 was opened and closed on June 9; no final ordinance vote was recorded at the hearing.

The amendments described by staff would replace outdated local definitions with the state‑model language and do not change the underlying prohibitions or allowed uses in the Floodplain Protection Overlay District, staff said. The city’s posting on the Department of Community Development and Planning and engineering web pages will include the updated maps and links to FEMA guidance, staff added.","City planners recommended amendments to the Floodplain Protection Overlay District to align local zoning with revised FEMA flood insurance rate maps; the city must update the bylaw to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program by the July 8, 2025 effective date.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206437,"Gardner council, planning board hear proposal to create historic-preservation special permit for 100 Central Street",1654,231000,1885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c&start=231&end=1885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3762811-09b0f015230c84de81e763b8748c244c/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6206437/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-council-planning-board-hear-proposal-to-create-historic-preservation-special-permit-for-100-Central-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206437-4dcec7f018f5597c309defc3363fa9b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173077&Signature=j3fXG~ZEo1aIQxejRXv0ObKdq~b2eIzVlnwxy2Xf2uf4RvsvNCRhDH0BPN5zhCbzCsWRcwf6xfdI0P4lCtY64NrM~CgmUMZX7XzgQ0xMJQeez2lCpsGSJ5H-EcVz~j8La0SFcMewBymJVKqDHwJCnNQxigtnIgwJ0NruRKyeX4t8UkpTkNOnlg-q2jHFCy~I57um3DG8E5g04UtM2v8HhIW9rrZjehfIkwKEOpt87~4jT4Q9iBGfqN5LJSGWcF~uP0wsyec-K2whRRsL8t~mLLGm3esZMkmqIrsRnTDFl09nIoiOs4FKKDhW7P4yq~A52sE9rSGwI730H6AMnaMVDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A joint public hearing of the Gardner City Council and Planning Board on June 9, 2025 considered a zoning amendment to create a historic preservation special permit that would allow flexible uses and limited relief from dimensional and parking standards for qualifying historic properties, including 100 Central Street, the Henry Haywood House attached to the former Sacred Heart Elementary School.

Attorney Christine Tree, representing Chair City Church, told the council and planning board the amendment is intended to “encourage preservation of historic sites, and historic structures, through established criteria, and to help expand the economic options for property owners who wish to redevelop, preserve, or repair their property, and to relax any zoning standards that would obstruct that goal.”

Under the proposal described by Tree, the ordinance would (1) add a new section establishing the historic preservation special permit; (2) amend the table of uses and definitions to include “historic structure” and “historic site;” (3) make the special permit available in all zoning districts (but not industrial); and (4) amend Article 7 (off‑street parking, loading and drive‑through standards) to allow parking relief and related site design flexibility. Tree said relief could include multiple primary uses on one lot or structure in residential or commercial districts, dimensional relief (lot size, frontage, setbacks), and changes to parking and signage requirements so long as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) grants the special permit with conditions.

Tree described the review process the ordinance would establish: applicants would file with the ZBA, which would refer the application to the Historical Commission for a recommendation. The Historical Commission would have 60 days to respond; if it does not, the ZBA may proceed without the recommendation. If the ZBA grants a permit, the decision and its conditions must be recorded at the registry of deeds, Tree said.

Tree said a qualifying historic structure would generally be one listed on the National Register, on MACRIS (the Massachusetts Historical Commission inventory), or on a local Gardner historic inventory created by the Historical Commission. She said Gardner’s MACRIS inventory contains roughly 244 entries and that, after eliminating properties already demolished or unlikely to be redeveloped, she estimated about 134 structures could use the special permit if property owners choose to apply.

City Administration officials voiced support. Mike Nicholson, identified at the hearing as representing the administration, said the city solicitor had reviewed the language and that “with the amount of development that's currently happening in the city, I really do believe something like this is in the best interest to make sure that we're keeping some of the gems that we have in the city.” Chuck Lanay, who identified himself as head chair of the Guyton Historical Commission, said the commission is “in very big favor of this amendment” and cited an example of an aging Clark Street house he said could have benefited from earlier protections.

Councilors asked substantive questions. Councilor Mack asked whether existing parking — described in the presentation as about “101” spaces (with an alternate calculation of 97) for the combined uses on the site — would be sufficient for a proposed cafe, counseling services and potential residential uses. Tree responded that parking configurations include spaces created for the diner, parking in front and behind the former elementary school, potential expansion on the convent site, and a cooperative arrangement to share parking with a neighboring funeral home; she added that different uses occur at different times and that any deficiency would be resolved through the ZBA review.

Tree also described accessibility plans: ramped exterior access to make the proposed first‑floor restaurant accessible and the possibility of locating accessible counseling space in the basement; she said third‑floor residential units would likely not be accessible.

The petitioned amendment had previously been considered by the Planning Board, Tree said, and the public hearing was closed after no speakers registered opposition. No formal vote or ordinance adoption occurred at the June 9 hearing; the council and planning board opened and closed the joint public hearing on item 11534 and left consideration for subsequent legislative action.

The discussion combined particulars about one project (100 Central Street, owned by Chair City Church) with citywide ordinance language changes; proponents said the change would ease preservation projects without imposing demolition delays or creating automatic approvals, while retaining ZBA oversight.","A joint public hearing considered a zoning amendment to establish a historic preservation special permit that would ease use, dimensional and parking rules for qualified historic sites, prompted by a petition from Chair City Church for the Henry Haywood House at 100 Central Street.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council, planning board consider rezoning parcels on Central Street to commercial overlay

Gardner to update floodplain overlay to match new FEMA FIRM maps effective July 8, 2025

Gardner council, planning board hear proposal to create historic-preservation special permit for 100 Central Street