Gardner City Council refers historic preservation zoning amendment to Planning Board

The Gardner City Council on March 3 referred a petition to amend the city zoning ordinance, Chapter 6.75, to the Planning Board for study and a recommendation.

The petition, submitted in the transcript as coming from “Chair City Church and 10 registered voters,” would add a new section titled "Historic Preservation Project," amend the table of uses, and make changes to Article 7 addressing off-street parking, loading and drive-through standards and relief from parking regulations. Councilor Mack moved to refer the amendment to the Planning Board; Councilor Kacinskas seconded the motion. Council President Tyrus called for the vote, and the council voted in favor; the motion passed.

The referral sends the petition to the Planning Board for whatever review and public hearings that board deems appropriate and asks that the Planning Board return a recommendation to the council. The council did not adopt or reject the substance of the proposed ordinance on March 3; it only referred the matter for study and recommendation.

The petition identifies specific ordinance sections to be changed, including Chapter 6.75 and an amendment to Article 7’s off-street parking, loading and drive‑through standards, though the transcript does not include the petition text itself or specific proposed language. The Planning Board’s review will determine whether the council receives a recommendation to adopt, modify or reject the proposed amendments in a future meeting.

The referral occurred during the Welfare Committee reports portion of the meeting and was introduced by Councilor Mack. No public hearing or final council action on the ordinance took place at this session.