Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Rezoning Central Street topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council, planning board consider rezoning parcels on Central Street to commercial overlay
Summary
A petition proposed adding a commercial overlay to certain Central Street parcels (rezoning from GR3 to Commercial 1) to reduce permitting barriers for existing small businesses and encourage downtown reinvestment; the administration expressed support and no public opposition was recorded at the hearing.
The Gardner City Council and Planning Board on June 9, 2025 held a joint public hearing on a petition to add a commercial overlay and to change zoning on designated parcels along Central Street from General Residential 3 (GR3) to Commercial 1, with the stated goal of enabling small businesses to expand without repeatedly seeking use variances.
Director Stevens said the amendment is intended to encourage growth for small business property owners along Central Street, describing the corridor as “the ever growing commercial backbone that is existing in downtown.” Mike Nicholson, speaking for the administration, said the proposal would “cut back some of the red tape” in the city’s zoning ordinance and would allow overlay designations while keeping underlying residential zoning and grandfathering protections for existing residences.
Attorney Christine Tree, who represented the applicant earlier in the hearing, recounted that about three years ago she had to pursue a use variance for the Chair City Diner in this same district and that the “current uses do not reflect the zoning.” She said the amendment would better align zoning with existing mixed uses and help rehabilitate buildings such as the Syndicate Block (also referenced as Casa La Grama/The Boardwalk), which Councilor Brooks noted is currently zoned residential despite commercial uses.
Councilor Brooks praised the inclusion of the Syndicate Block among parcels proposed for the overlay, saying the change could facilitate rehabilitation of a historic mixed‑use building. No speakers registered opposition during public comment. The joint public hearing for item 11533 was opened and closed on June 9; the council did not adopt the amendment at the meeting.
No formal vote or ordinance adoption occurred at the June 9 hearing; the item will proceed through the city’s zoning amendment process for further consideration and any required votes.
