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Planning board approves conversion of 51 Illinois Street to lodging house despite neighborhood safety concerns
Summary
The board approved a definitive site plan for 51 Illinois Street, converting the building to a lodging house. Neighbors raised concerns about gun violence, flooding and neighborhood conditions; the board approved the plan 4-0 with conditions including removal of a parking space adjacent to dumpster and additional trees and bike storage.
Worcester — The Planning Board on Wednesday approved a definitive site plan allowing the conversion of 51 Illinois Street into a lodging house, while several nearby residents urged the city to address public‑safety and quality‑of‑life issues on adjacent streets and in Crystal Park.
Attorney Donald O’Neil represented the applicant and explained the zoning board had already granted the special permits necessary for the lodging‑house use and related deviations. Planning staff said the project must modify exterior parking and driveway work and asked for additional vegetation, bike storage, and the removal of one parking space adjacent to the dumpster to facilitate access.
Charles Dahl, an Illinois Street resident, told the board he and neighbors were concerned about repeated gun violence, late‑night noise, homelessness in the park and vehicle break‑ins. He said the neighborhood had a history of public‑safety incidents and asked the city to prioritize broader neighborhood safety and upkeep.
Board members said the site plan met planning standards and that the lodging‑house use would be regulated by the licensing authority; they encouraged residents to continue working with city services about public safety. The board included DTM comments about driveway grade and asked the applicant to revise the driveway so the section along the sidewalk remains level for at least four feet before sloping down.
The board approved the definitive site plan 4-0 subject to staff‑recommended conditions, which included the DTM driveway detail, additional vegetation and the requested bike storage. Approval allows the applicant to proceed with the required building‑permit and licensing steps once the planning conditions are satisfied.
