ZBA OKs conversion at 51 Illinois Street to eight apartments with parking relief

The Worcester zoning board of appeals on Oct. 6 approved zoning relief for 51 Illinois Street to allow the conversion of an existing rectory building into an eight-unit multifamily dwelling, granting a variance for a shortfall of four parking spaces and a special permit for parking/landscape dimensional relief.

Engineer Nick Fasendola described the project as eight apartments (two 1-bed, four 2-bed, two 3-bed) with 12 on-site parking spaces where the zoning calls for 16. The applicant also requested a special permit for relief from the five-foot landscape buffer along the eastern lot line so a standard 24-foot drive aisle could be provided. Planner Victor Panak recommended conditions including bike parking for residents and preservation of significant exterior historic elements.

Board members reiterated prior hearings' discussions about parking proximity to an adjacent church lot and other nearby public parking; staff noted that while an agreement to use the church lot would help operations, the zoning calculation cannot count off-site spaces unless they meet ordinance requirements. The applicant requested and the board accepted the waivers listed in the staff memo.

The board voted unanimously to close the hearing and grant the variance and special permit with the staff recommendations and waivers recorded in the motion. Staff will draft the written decision to be signed at the next meeting and filed with the city clerk.

Speakers: Nick Fasendola (engineer), Victor Panak (planning staff), and board members.