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Worcester committee approves rezoning of roughly 15.1 acres along Malden and West Boylston streets
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Summary
The Worcester City Council standing committee on economic development voted to approve a zoning map amendment that would rezone about 15.1 acres from single‑family RS‑7 to RL‑7, allowing two‑ and three‑family and low‑density multifamily housing on parcels along Malden Street, Malden Terrace, Reynolds Street and West Boylston Street.
The Worcester City Council standing committee on economic development voted to approve a zoning map amendment that would rezone about 15.1 acres of property along Malden Street, Malden Terrace, Reynolds Street and West Boylston Street from RS‑7 (single‑family) to RL‑7 (residence limit). The motion passed by roll call with Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor Toomey and committee chair Candi Marrow Carlson voting yes.
The committee heard a staff summary from Peter Dunn, chief development officer, who said the subject parcels are mostly in RS‑7 with one parcel at 923 West Boylston Street partly in RS‑7 and partly in BL‑1 (Business Limited). "The proposed map amendment would affect approximately 15.1 acres of land located on Malden Street, Malden Terrace, Reynold Street, and West Boylston Street," Dunn said, and described the surrounding neighborhood as a mix of single‑, two‑ and three‑family and some low‑rise multifamily housing. He noted an existing contiguous RL‑7 district near Dixfield Road, Deepdale Road and Lady Bank Road.
The petition, filed by Joshua Lee Smith on behalf of Wolf Farms LLC, was presented to the committee with a recommendation of approval from the Planning Board. Joseph Duquette, representing the petitioner and speaking on behalf of Bowditch and Dewey, said the applicant "worked collaboratively with Michelle Smith, the planning board, and the ward councilor" and that neighbors "generally did not pose any opposition to the zoning change." Duquette identified himself as being from Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Under Worcester's zoning rules, the RS‑7 district allows only single‑family homes, while RL‑7 permits two‑family, three‑family and low‑density multifamily uses; committee members and staff emphasized that difference during the discussion. The Planning Board considered the petition at its April 30, 2025 meeting and voted to recommend approval.
In addition to the zoning vote, the committee approved the minutes of the July 15, 2025 economic development committee meeting by roll call. After the zoning item and the minutes were approved, the committee moved to adjourn. The transcript did not record further details about subsequent city council action or any required permitting steps for redevelopment of the properties.
Votes at a glance: 1) Approval of minutes (07/15/2025) — roll call: Councilor Jenny Pacillo: yes; Councilor Toomey: yes; Chair Candi Marrow Carlson: yes. 2) Zoning map amendment petition of Joshua Lee Smith on behalf of Wolf Farms LLC (rezoning ~15.1 acres from RS‑7 to RL‑7) — roll call: Councilor Jenny Pacillo: yes; Councilor Toomey: yes; Chair Candi Marrow Carlson: yes.
