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Economic development committee approves rezoning for West Mountain Street parcels
Summary
The Worcester City Economic Development Committee voted to approve a zoning map amendment to place the rear portions of 76 and 78 West Mountain Street fully in the BL1 business-limited district, eliminating split zoning and allowing continued operation and potential expansion of an existing limousine business.
The Worcester City Economic Development Committee voted to approve a zoning map amendment that would extend the BL1 business-limited zoning line to encompass the rear portions of 76 and 78 West Mountain Street, removing split zoning and allowing broader business uses on the parcels.
Planning staff told the committee the Planning Board unanimously recommended the change in February. Michelle, assistant chief development officer for planning and regulatory services, said the two parcels total about 6,000 square feet and are currently split between RS7 and BL1; moving the rear portions into BL1 would align allowed uses with the corridor’s commercial character near the ramp to Route 190.
Michelle said RS7 is Worcester City’s most restrictive residential district, where single-family homes are the primary by-right use, while BL1 permits customer-oriented businesses and a range of residential uses, including two- and three-family buildings by right. She said BL1 still requires special permits for certain auto-related uses and drive-throughs and that residential lot-area minimums differ: she stated a 7,000-square-foot lot-area requirement for RS7 and a 5,000-square-foot requirement for residential in BL1, and referenced a per-unit density figure of “40 per unit with a cap, I believe that 200” (as stated by planning staff).
Donald J. O’Neil, an attorney representing property owners Jonathan and Carrie Nazilio, said the rear-zone change would eliminate split zoning and allow the longtime limousine business operating at 76 West Mountain Street to better use the land. He said the limousine operator has been at that location about 20 years and that adjacent residential lots are deep and not immediately abutting the rear of the business.
No members of the public participated online on the item, the deputy city clerk said. Chair Councilor Candy Merrow Carlson moved to approve the committee recommendation. On roll call, Councilor Kay Toomey voted yes; a roll-call entry listed “Councilor Pacillo” as yes; and Chair Councilor Candy Merrow Carlson voted yes. The committee approved the zoning map amendment recommendation.
Discussion versus decision: planning staff and the property owner’s attorney provided analysis and support (discussion); the committee took formal action to approve the recommendation by roll call (decision).
