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Council denies Central Square overlay zoning amendment after lengthy public hearing
Summary
After extensive public comment and a mayoral statement, the Woburn City Council voted to deny a zoning text and map amendment to create a Central Square overlay district; council took a roll-call vote to deny the petition.
The Woburn City Council on April 15 voted to deny a proposed zoning text and map amendment that would have created a Central Square overlay district. The council acted after a lengthy public hearing that drew dozens of residents, several councilors and the mayor.
Attorney Joseph Tabby had filed the matter on behalf of the petitioner; the ordinances, charter and rules committee had earlier recommended "ought not to pass." Residents of Central Square and nearby streets spoke at length in opposition, citing concerns about density, parking, school impacts, and neighborhood character. Multiple residents urged the council to deny the petition or refuse the developer's request to withdraw and come back later.
Mayor Michael Concannon addressed the council and said he had mixed emotions about the overlay. "I have concerns about density, lot coverage, parking," the mayor said, adding that he found some proposed off-site mitigations'such as reconfigured intersections and a park extension'potentially beneficial but that those benefits would need to be weighed against neighborhood impacts.
Resident Scott Galvin urged the council to "send a message" by denying the petition and not granting leave to withdraw, arguing that returning petitions could be used to try the request again later. Dozens of other residents spoke in opposition. Residents cited prior demolitions and tree removal in Central Square as reasons for skepticism and presented written comments to the council.
After the public hearing closed, Councilor Campbell moved that the zoning text and map amendments be denied. The council conducted a roll-call vote; each councilor answered "Aye." President Dillon called the vote carried.
The council's action denies the overlay zoning amendment as presented to the council. The petitioner may choose to refile in a future session; the council action does not by itself bar a new petition, but it signals the governing body's current position on the overlay proposal.
