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Committee advances Central Street zoning overlay, historic‑preservation amendment to full council for joint public hearing
Summary
The Gardner City Public Welfare Subcommittee forwarded two related Central Street zoning proposals — a commercial overlay for certain parcels including 28 Central and a historic‑preservation amendment submitted by Chair City Church — to the full council for joint public hearings with the planning board.
The Gardner City Public Welfare Subcommittee voted to forward two related zoning items to the full council and to schedule a joint public hearing with the planning board: one would add a commercial overlay classification for portions of Central Street, and the other would create a historic preservation project section to allow certain uses by special permit and to ease parking and loading rules for preservation projects.
Consultant Kibo Muniz (identified in the meeting record as a party with an interest) described the Central Street proposal as intended to help reactivate long‑vacant properties, citing the LaGraca Building at 28 Central and a historic structure at 100 Central owned by Chair City Church. Muniz said both properties are effectively “locked into Residential 3” zoning, which has limited redevelopment options, and the proposed overlay would allow compatible commercial development and facilitate reuse.
Councilors expressed support for revitalizing 28 Central, calling it an “eyesore” and noting prior failed attempts to re‑tenant the building. The mayor’s office and planning board were not present; the subcommittee clarified that approval by the full council would be subject to a joint public hearing with the planning board before any zoning change could take effect.
Councilor Heath moved to forward the zoning overlay item (agenda 11533) to the full council; the motion passed on a voice vote. The related amendment to Chapter 6.75 to add a historic preservation project section (agenda 11534) was also moved forward and will require public hearings and planning board approval before final council adoption. Councilors noted that proposed uses discussed for 100 Central included a coffee shop, counseling offices, and housing on the third floor as part of a renovation plan initiated by Chair City Church.
Both items proceed as referrals for joint public hearings; no zoning changes were enacted at the subcommittee level.
