The Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals on June 2 approved variances and special permits to subdivide 12 Jackson Street and convert an unoccupied carriage house — designated by the city as historically significant — into a two‑family dwelling.

Why it matters: The conversion returns an underused historic structure to residential use while creating new housing units on a subdivided lot; the decision includes architectural conditions intended to preserve the carriage house character.

Applicant representatives Jonathan Finkelstein and Rafael Hernandez described the carriage house as boarded and in poor condition; the plan calls for re‑roofing, new windows matched to the building’s character, trim repair, and internal stairs configured to meet egress without changing the historical exterior appearance. The carriage house would become a two‑unit studio building; both units would be small (around 400 sq ft studios) with one parking space per unit. Planning staff (Victor Panak) summarized the result of the lot split: both Lot 1 (existing two‑family) and Lot 2 (carriage house) create new nonconformities requiring multiple variances for area, frontage, side and rear setbacks, and parking.

Staff recommended several conditions, including additional tree plantings and architectural requirements to preserve the carriage house’s character. During the hearing the applicant confirmed planting a 3‑inch caliper tree and maintaining two parking spaces per building. Abutters and board members generally supported reusing the carriage house and complimented the preservation approach.

The board closed the hearing, accepted staff waivers, and voted to approve the variances, special permits and waivers on the terms recorded in the staff memo; the applicant will need to satisfy the architectural and planting conditions prior to permits.

Ending: The redevelopment will proceed subject to the conditions; decisions will be filed and may be appealed under M.G.L. c.40A §17.