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Planning Board approves parking expansion at 67 Chester Street with stormwater, screening conditions
Summary
The Worcester Planning Board approved a definitive site plan allowing a southeast parking-area expansion at 67 Chester Street, subject to staff and DPW conditions addressing screening, lighting, stormwater and a required sewer extension review.
The Worcester City Planning Board on Aug. 13 approved a definitive site plan that will expand the parking area at 67 Chester Street, allowing new parking, retaining walls and stormwater work at the site.
The plan, presented by civil engineer Michael Gagan of SLR International, calls for a southeast expansion of the existing lot including clearing, a new retaining wall up to 14 feet in height, about 0.6 acres of additional impervious surface and a subsurface detention system for stormwater management. Gagan said the work will include "tree removal, clearing and grubbing" and a repaving bid alternate for the existing asphalt.
Board staff and the Department of Public Works recommended conditions before approval. Planning staff requested additional plantings and screening on the southwestern edge, modifications to the proposed light fixtures (shielded and no taller than 16 feet) and clearer snow-storage locations. DPW noted that any proposed sewer main extension will require city council approval and coordination with the Department of Public Works.
The board discussed site access and topography; Gagan said the entrance location was driven by terrain and slope considerations and that grades around the new area approached 10–15 percent. He also said accessible parking spaces will be located in the existing facility and that a future separate project would address building accessibility closer to the structure.
Public comment at the meeting included one speaker who stated simply they opposed the plan. Board members said they were generally comfortable with the plan and staff recommendations, and emphasized that approvals are conditional on addressing specified plan revisions.
The board approved the definitive site plan 3–0, with board members King and McCormick and Chair Albert LaValle voting yes and one member absent. The approval was made subject to the conditions listed on pages 2 and 3 of the staff memo and DPW's memo dated July 16.
The applicant will be required to submit revised plans reflecting staff conditions, coordinate the proposed sewer extension with DPW and accommodate any additional details required for final sign-off and filing with the city clerk.
Details recorded at the meeting show the plan proposes about 104 new parking spaces, two additional accessible spaces in the existing lot, retaining-wall heights up to 14 feet and roughly six-tenths of an acre of new impervious area. The applicant indicated the stormwater design follows the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Manual and that DPW comments had been addressed in revised materials.
The board’s approval allows the applicant to move forward to clear conditions and eventual filing of decisions with the city clerk, which starts the appeals period if any appeals are filed.
Members of the public and the applicant may follow up with the Planning Division for the list of required plan revisions and next steps toward implementation.
