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Planning Board approves special permit for Reliable Physical Therapy at 23‑33 Middle St.
Summary
The Lowell Planning Board on March 17 approved a special permit allowing Reliable Physical Therapy LLC to open a clinic in Unit B of the Moeller's Loft building at 23‑33 Middle Street in the downtown mixed‑use and downtown overlay districts.
The Lowell Planning Board on March 17, 2025 approved a special permit for Reliable Physical Therapy LLC to open a physical therapy clinic at Unit B, 23‑33 Middle Street, in downtown Lowell.
John Gary, attorney with Gary & Gary LLP, represented the applicant and said the clinic fits the downtown mixed‑use (DMU) district and downtown overlay district (DOD) and meets the criteria of sections 9.3 and 12.8(c) of the City of Lowell zoning ordinance. "This application involves a request for a special permit pursuant to sections 9.3 and sections 12.8 C of the city zoning ordinance," Gary told the board.
Prachi Sin Basnet, principal of Reliable Physical Therapy LLC and the clinic’s physical therapist, was present. Gary said the clinic will activate a street‑level commercial space in the Moeller's Loft building, which contains 24 residential units and two commercial suites. The proposed clinic will employ three staff (the principal physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant, and administrative support) and operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to materials submitted to the board.
Planning staff and economic development staff reviewed the application and provided supportive comments; the staff recommendation encouraged issuance of the special permit. Gary emphasized that downtown has municipal parking and on‑street spaces and that the downtown overlay requires no additional on‑site parking for the proposed use.
Board members voiced support for the project and welcomed the applicant to downtown Lowell. One board member said the clinic will be a good fit for downtown residents who may not have cars and will benefit from a nearby clinic. The board moved to approve the special permit, the motion was seconded, and the vote was unanimous; the chair recorded a yes and no opposition was noted. The board wished the applicant well as the clinic proceeds toward permitting and fit‑out work.
The special permit authorizes the operation of a physical therapy clinic at the street‑level Unit B of 23‑33 Middle Street within the DMU/DOD zoning context; any building‑permit or fit‑out work will be subject to the usual building and fire code reviews.
