Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - October 19, 2026

Agenda

Members: Jordan Berg Powers (Chair), Lawrence Abramoff (Vice Chair), George Cortes, Eric Torkornoo, Enxhi Muharremi; alternates Erik Bartenhagen, Matthew Sacco. Written comments to planning@worcesterma.gov at least 48 hours ahead. Upcoming meetings: Nov 9, Nov 30, Dec 21, 2026.

Call to Order - 5:30 pm

Requests for Continuances, Extensions, Postponements, & Withdrawals

Old Business - Public Hearings

1. ROW Adjacent to 692 Millbury Street (ZB-2026-019) - Special Permit to convert a non-conforming billboard sign from static to digital display (Art. IV, Sec. 6.L.2). Petitioner: Lamar Advertising Company. Zone ML-2.0 and Blackstone River Parkway Sign Overlay District. Seeks to convert the south face to digital. Testimony 7/20/2026 and 9/28/2026. Constructive grant deadline 11/10/2026.

New Business - Public Hearings

2. 99 Sears Island Drive (ZB-2026-079) - Variances from minimum front and side yard setbacks (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2); Special Permit to extend/alter a privileged pre-existing nonconforming structure (Art. XVI, Sec. 4). Petitioner: Larry Johnson. Single-family dwelling in RS-7; seeks an addition. Public hearing deadline 11/27/2026; constructive grant 1/1/2027.
3. 1 Shale Street (ZB-2026-093) - Variances: minimum parking for multi-family (Table 4.4), setback and maximum height for an accessory structure (Art. IV, Sec. 8.B.10); Special Permit to modify parking requirements (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2). Petitioner: 1 Shale St LLC. Vacant lot in RG-5; seeks a multi-family high-rise with about 11 units and 19 parking spaces. Public hearing deadline 11/29/2026; constructive grant 1/3/2027.
4. 167-177 Southwest Cutoff (ZB-2026-094) - Special Permits: food service (drive-thru), automobile refueling station and retail sales uses in MG-2.0 (Table 4.1, Business Uses #6, #17, #26); modify parking requirements (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2). Petitioner: 167 Southwest Cutoff, LLC and Wister Realty Corp. 167 has a 11,710 SF commercial building; 177 has a gas station, convenience store with drive-through and parking. Seeks to expand the gas station onto 167, and at 177 expand the building, relocate the drive-through window and expand parking. Public hearing deadline 11/28/2026; constructive grant TBD.
5. 20 Goldthwaite Road (ZB-2026-096) - Special Permit to modify parking requirements (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2). Petitioner: Pappas Prime Properties, LLC. Three-family dwelling in RG-5 and Water Resources Protection Overlay (WR(GP-3)); seeks a common driveway and parking facility. Public hearing deadline 11/29/2026.
6. 16 Norwich Street (ZB-2026-097) - Special Permit for a lodging house in BG-6.0 (Table 4.1, Residential Use #8). Petitioner: Wallachia, LLC. Existing mixed-use multi-family high-rise of about 16,200 GSF, also in the Commercial Corridor Overlay District - Downtown and Downtown Sign Overlay District. Public hearing deadline 12/02/2026.
7. 25 Kendig Street (ZB-2026-098) - For each of Lot 1R-A and Lot 2R-B: variances from minimum lot area, frontage and rear yard setback for a single-family semi-detached dwelling in RG-5 (Table 4.2). Petitioner: Jon R. Pouliot. Partially constructed two-family dwelling; seeks a zero-lot line to build a semi-detached duplex. Public hearing deadline 12/3/2026; constructive grant 1/7/2027.

Other Business

8. Communications
9. Discussion of Board Policies and Procedures
10. Approval of Minutes - 7/20/2026; 8/10/2026; 8/31/2026; 9/28/2026
11. Adjournment