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Commissioners approve text amendment allowing multifamily units in C2 commercial zones adjacent to R3/R4
Summary
A text amendment to permit multifamily dwelling units as accessory uses in the C2 General Commercial District adjacent to R3 and R4 zones was approved 5-0; staff and the planning commission said applicability will be limited to about 63 parcels that meet water/sewer and parking requirements.
Worcester County commissioners voted 5-0 Sept. 16 to approve a zoning text amendment (Bill 2503) that adds multifamily residential as a permitted accessory use in the C2 General Commercial District where those commercial parcels directly adjoin R3 or R4 residential zoning.
Planning staff told commissioners the amendment would apply only to parcels that meet a series of conditions: the property must be at least 65% commercially developed, be served by public water and sewer, have available EDU allocations and sufficient parking and open space. The planning commission had given a favorable recommendation at its July 3 meeting; staff estimated about 63 parcels countywide could potentially qualify.
A representative in the public hearing, who identified himself as representing Todd Franti, described the change as “very limited applicability” and tied it to the county’s comprehensive plan principles favoring mixed use in town centers and shorter trips between housing and jobs. He said one parcel under discussion already meets the 65% commercial threshold and that, on that site, “we could fit 12 multifamily units here” that he expected would house workers for nearby businesses.
Commissioner Fiore moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner Metresick seconded. The public hearing was closed and the motion carried 5–0 with two commissioners absent.
What it does: The amendment allows detached or associated multifamily dwelling units as an accessory use to commercial development in C2 where the parcel directly adjoins R3 or R4 zones; requirements for parking, net lot area and open space are set by formula in the bill and would be applied at site-plan review.
Limitations and implementation: Staff and the agent emphasized the change is not broadly permissive — it is contingent on parcel-specific factors including available EDUs and utilities. The county did not provide a parcel-by-parcel unit estimate in the hearing; staff said unit counts would depend on site-specific net lot area calculations and applicable density formulas in the ordinance.
Next steps: The approved text amendment moves into the county’s enactment process per local procedure; projects seeking to rely on the new provision would still need site-plan approvals and any required permits.
