Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning board approves multiple housing and renovation permits; withdrawals and continuances noted
Summary
The Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals approved a series of variances and special permits on June 23 that clear the way for several housing and renovation projects citywide, while also recording continuances and a withdrawal; the board later denied a separate high‑profile application for a digital billboard.
The Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals took formal action on a series of property and development items during its June 23 meeting, approving the majority of routine variances and special permits on its agenda and recording continuances and a withdrawal. Separately, after a prolonged hearing the board denied a high‑profile application for a digital billboard at 5 Norton Drive (see separate article).
Key outcomes from votes taken before the billboard hearing included:
- 3304 Shrewsbury Street — Leave to withdraw without prejudice approved. The board recorded a motion to allow the applicant to withdraw the filing; the leave was approved unanimously (vote recorded at the start of the meeting).
- 17 Montclair Drive and 9 Ashland Street — Continuance/postponements approved. The board granted a continuance of the public hearing for 17 Montclair Drive to the July 14 meeting and postponed 9 Ashland Street to the July 14 meeting with extended constructive grant deadlines as noted in the staff memo.
- 85 & 87 Boston Avenue — Special permits approved. The board approved a special permit to permit a low‑rise multifamily use in an RL‑7 zone and to modify parking dimensional and landscaping requirements for 85 Boston Avenue (adding 3 units for a total of five at 85) and a related parking/landscape modification for 87 Boston Avenue. Approval included the staff’s standard conditions plus additional conditions the board added (including a requirement that areas of the site not designated for building footprints, parking or walkways remain lawn or landscaped) and a condition prohibiting accessory dwelling units at both 85 and 87 as part of this approval. The motion passed with recorded individual votes in favor by the voting members present.
- 538 Pleasant Street (Sola Mexico) — Special permit approved to extend/alter a privileged pre‑existing nonconforming food service use to include on‑site beer and wine. The applicant proposed indoor seating for 12 and outdoor seating for six; the board approved the permit with staff recommendations and amended hours of operation (amended to read 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily in the motion) and granted the requested waiver. The vote was unanimous among members present.
- 27–29 Camp Street and 31 Camp Street — Variances and special permit approved. The board approved multiple requests tied to a proposal to construct a two‑family dwelling on 31 Camp Street and adjust parking/landscaping at 27–29 Camp Street. Relief included variances for lot area and frontage and modest relief for height, along with special permit relief to modify parking layout and buffer requirements; the applicant accepted staff’s recommended conditions and requested waivers; motion carried with recorded yes votes by members present.
- 287 Mill Street — Variances for a two‑lot subdivision and duplex approved. The applicant sought to split an existing lot into three; variances granted for lot area, frontage and rear yard setbacks on Lots 2 and 3 with staff conditions and requested waivers; board approval recorded.
- 37A Circuit Avenue East — Amendment to an earlier variance granted. The board approved an amendment to a variance previously granted in February to accommodate a slightly larger duplex footprint; the relief requested matched the earlier 20‑foot frontage relief and the board recorded approval with the staff recommendations.
- 46 Hurdle Street — Variance and special permit approved for a detached accessory garage exceeding maximum allowed height and floor area. The board approved relief from the 15‑foot maximum accessory structure height and allowed an accessory garage larger than the allowed floor area, with recommended conditions (tree plantings and depiction of rain barrels among them).
- 275 Shrewsbury Street — Variance approved to allow a rear egress stair to comply with code. The board approved relief from rear yard setback to permit the exterior emergency egress required for ongoing interior renovation; the motion included staff recommendations and waivers.
- 60 Great Brook Valley Ave (and portion of 180 Constitution Ave) — Variance for irregularity factor approved. This is part of a multi‑phase redevelopment (Curtis Apartments) and the applicant sought a small variance from the lot regularity factor; staff recommended standard conditions and the motion passed with board approval.
After those items the board recessed and later returned for a full hearing on the Kenjo billboard application (5 Norton Drive), which the board denied (see separate article).
Why it matters: The approvals advance several housing‑related projects and renovations across Worcester, from expanded multifamily units to duplex construction and accessory structures, while the vote on the billboard highlighted limits to commercial signage in or near sensitive neighborhoods.
What’s next: Applicants with approvals will need to meet the conditions stated in the staff memos (recording easements, planting, meeting specified construction details) and file required follow‑up paperwork with the Planning Division and, where applicable, the City Clerk for appeals timelines.
