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2026-07-20 - Zoning Board of Appeals

Summary

This summarizes the posted agenda for the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, not what happened; no minutes are posted yet. The agenda lists 13 hearings. Two are continued from earlier months: the 48-unit, two-building multi-family proposal at 149 Plantation Street (testimony already taken 3/16 and 4/27) and the 0 Grafton Street proposal for two 12-unit buildings. New business includes Lamar Advertising's request to convert a billboard near 692 Millbury Street to digital, a 24-unit attached-housing project at 256 Sunderland Road, a 32-unit warehouse conversion at 1 Jackson Street, a 74-unit downtown high-rise at 27-35 Chandler Street and 47-53 Irving Street, a used car dealership at 610 Lincoln Street, and a split of 23-37 Boylston Street into eight duplex lots. Extensions of time were requested for 15 Westborough Street and 1 Frederick Street. Other business includes a scrivenor's error decision for 714-716 Pleasant Street and approval of minutes from 5/18, 6/8 and 6/29.

Source: posted PrimeGov agenda for the July 20, 2026 meeting; no minutes or transcript yet.

Issues discussed: 149 Plantation Street (ZB-2026-003), 0 Grafton Street (ZB-2026-035), 692 Millbury Street (ZB-2026-019), 256 Sunderland Road (ZB-2026-022), 1 Jackson Street (ZB-2026-031), 6 Woburn Street (ZB-2026-041), 610 Lincoln Street (ZB-2026-059), 3 Mann Street (ZB-2026-061), 23-37 Boylston Street (ZB-2026-062), 15 Westborough Street (ZB-2026-065), 104 Eastern Avenue (ZB-2026-067), 27-35 Chandler Street and 47-53 Irving Street (ZB-2026-070), 1 Frederick Street (ZB-2026-072)

Agenda

Zoning Board of Appeals meeting agenda, Monday, July 20, 2026, 5:30 pm, Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber, 3rd Floor (Room 309), Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St. In person, with remote participation by Zoom (https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1604564634) or phone 1-669-254-5252, access code 160 456 4634. Written comments to planning@worcesterma.gov at least 48 hours ahead; interpretation requests 2 business days ahead (the posted agenda repeats this in several other languages, omitted here).

Board members: Jordan Berg Powers (Chair), Lawrence Abramoff (Vice Chair), George Cortes, Eric Torkornoo, Enxhi Muharremi; alternates Erik Bartenhagen, Matthew Sacco.

Call to Order - 5:30 pm

Requests for Continuances, Extensions, Postponements, & Withdrawals

Old Business - Public Hearings

  1. 149 Plantation Street (ZB-2026-003) - 149 Plantation Street (ZB-2026-003)

    • Special Permit: low-rise multi-family dwelling use in the RL-7 zone (Art. IV, Sec. 2, Table 4.1, Residential Use #11)
    • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
    • Petitioner: Ram Hill Avenue Investments & Developments, LLC
    • Present use: Vacant wooded lot.
    • Zone: RL-7 (Residence, Limited)
    • Purpose: Construct two 3-story low-rise multi-family dwellings, each with about 24 units (about 48 total), an about 88-space parking facility, and associated site improvements.
    • Testimony dates: 3/16/2026, 4/27/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 7/21/2026.

  2. 0 Grafton Street (ZB-2026-035) - 0 Grafton Street (ZB-2026-035)

    • Variance: minimum frontage for a multi-family low-rise dwelling use in BL-1.0 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
    • Petitioner: Joseph Jreij
    • Present use: Single-story industrial building.
    • Zone: BL-1.0 (Business, Limited)
    • Purpose: Construct two multi-family low-rise dwellings with about 12 units each, about 23 parking spaces, and associated site improvements.
    • Testimony date: 5/18/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 8/5/2026.

New Business - Public Hearings

  1. ROW Adjacent to 692 Millbury Street (ZB-2026-019) - 692 Millbury Street (ZB-2026-019)

    • Special Permit: conversion from static to digital display for a non-conforming sign (Art. IV, Sec. 6.L.2)
    • Petitioner: Lamar Advertising Company
    • Present use: Non-accessory freestanding billboard with traditional advertising panels.
    • Zone: ML-2.0 (Manufacturing, Limited) and the Blackstone River Parkway Sign Overlay District
    • Purpose: Convert the south face of the billboard to a digital display.
    • Public hearing deadline: 7/20/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 8/11/2026.

  2. 256 Sunderland Road (aka 262 Sunderland Road) (ZB-2026-022) - 256 Sunderland Road (ZB-2026-022)

    • Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family attached dwelling in RL-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • Special Permit: single-family attached dwelling use in RL-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 2, Table 4.1, Residential Use #12)
    • Petitioner: Sunderland Village, LLC
    • Present use: Vacant wooded lot.
    • Zone: RL-7 (Residence, Limited)
    • Purpose: Construct about 24 single-family attached units in 6 structures of 4 units each, with parking from a common driveway and other site improvements.
    • Public hearing deadline: 7/20/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 8/11/2026.

  3. 1 Jackson Street (ZB-2026-031) - 1 Jackson Street (ZB-2026-031)

    • Variance: minimum parking for a multi-family dwelling (Art. IV, Sec. 7, Table 4.4)
    • Petitioner: Jackson Street Apartments, LLC
    • Present use: Existing 5-story warehouse building.
    • Zone: BG-3.0 (Business, General) and the Commercial Corridors Overlay District - Elsewhere (CCOD-E)
    • Purpose: Convert the warehouse to a multi-family high-rise dwelling with about 32 units and associated site improvements.
    • Public hearing deadline: 7/1/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 8/5/2026.

  4. 6 Woburn Street (ZB-2026-041) - 6 Woburn Street (ZB-2026-041)

    • Variance: minimum side yard setback for a non-residential use in MG-0.5 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
    • Petitioner: Marcelo Barreto
    • Present use: Vacant lot with a small retaining wall.
    • Zone: MG-0.5 (Manufacturing, General)
    • Purpose: Construct an industrial building with associated parking and site improvements.
    • Public hearing deadline: 9/2/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 10/7/2026.

  5. 610 Lincoln Street (ZB-2026-059) - 610 Lincoln Street (ZB-2026-059)

    • Special Permit: motor vehicle/trailer/boat sales, rental use in BL-1.0 (Art. IV, Sec. 2, Table 4.1, Business Use #15)
    • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
    • Petitioner: Hasan Almaola
    • Present use: Vacant commercial building with associated parking.
    • Zone: BL-1.0 (Business, Limited) and the Water Resource Protection Overlay District (GP-3)
    • Purpose: Operate a used car dealership and make associated site improvements.
    • Public hearing deadline: 8/30/2026. Constructive grant deadline: TBD.

  6. 3 Mann Street (ZB-2026-061) - 3 Mann Street (ZB-2026-061)

    • Lot 1 (existing) Variance: minimum frontage for a residential use in BL-1.0 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • Lot 1 (existing) Variance: minimum side yard setback for a residential use in BL-1.0
    • Lot 2 (proposed) Variance: minimum frontage for a residential use in BL-1.0
    • Petitioner: Daniel Rameika, Jr
    • Present use: Multi-family low-rise dwelling with associated parking.
    • Zone: Split-zoned BL-1.0 (Business, Limited) and BG-4.0 (Business, General); partially in the Floodplain Overlay District
    • Purpose: Divide the parcel to build a two-family dwelling on Lot 2, create additional parking for the existing structure on Lot 1, and make associated site improvements.
    • Public hearing deadline: 9/2/2026. Constructive grant deadline: TBD.

  7. 23-37 Boylston Street (ZB-2026-062) - 23-37 Boylston Street (ZB-2026-062)

    • 23 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 25 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 27 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 29 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 31 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 33 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
    • 35 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2); also Variance: minimum lot area
    • 37 Boylston Street Variance: minimum frontage for a single-family semi-detached dwelling use in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2); also Variance: minimum lot area
    • Petitioner: Premier Rental Properties, LLC
    • Present use: Four existing two-family dwellings on one lot.
    • Zone: Split-zoned BL-1.0 (Business, Limited) and RS-7 (Residence, Single Family); Water Resource Protection Overlay District (WP(GP-3))
    • Purpose: Divide the lot to create eight single-family semi-detached dwellings (duplexes), each on its own lot.
    • Public hearing deadline: 8/12/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 9/16/2026.

  8. 15 Westborough Street (ZB-2026-065) - 15 Westborough Street (ZB-2026-065)

  • Extension of Time of relief previously approved in ZB-2024-096
  • Lot 1 (existing) Variance: minimum side yard setback for a two-family dwelling in RS-7 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
  • Lot 1 Variance: minimum parking for a two-family dwelling (Art. IV, Sec. 7, Table 4.4)
  • Lot 1 Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
  • Lot 2 (proposed) Variance: minimum lot area for a single-family dwelling in RS-7
  • Petitioner: Frank Prizio
  • Present use: Pre-existing, non-conforming two-family dwelling, detached garage and associated parking.
  • Zone: RS-7 (Residence, Single Family)
  • Purpose: Extension of time for previously approved relief to divide the property into two lots and build a single-family dwelling, accessory dwelling unit and associated parking on the new lot.
  • Public hearing and constructive grant deadlines: N/A (extension of time).
  1. 104 Eastern Avenue (ZB-2026-067) - 104 Eastern Avenue (ZB-2026-067)
  • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
  • Petitioner: Excellent Investments Corp
  • Present use: Partially paved vacant lot.
  • Zone: RG-5 (Residence, General)
  • Purpose: Construct a 3-family dwelling, about 6 parking spaces, and associated site improvements.
  • Public hearing deadline: 9/3/2026. Constructive grant deadline: TBD.
  1. 27-35 Chandler Street & 47-53 Irving Street (ZB-2026-070) - 27-35 Chandler Street and 47-53 Irving Street (ZB-2026-070)
  • Variance: minimum front yard setback for a high-rise multi-family building in the CCOD (Art. IX, Sec. 6.A.1)
  • Petitioner: GoVenture Capital Group, LLC
  • Present use: Vacant lot.
  • Zone: BG-6.0 (Business, General); Commercial Corridors Overlay District - Downtown (CCOD-D); Downtown Sign Overlay District (DSOD)
  • Purpose: Construct a 5-story, about 67,075 SF, about 74-unit multi-family high-rise with associated site improvements.
  • Public hearing deadline: 9/4/2026. Constructive grant deadline: 10/9/2026.
  1. 1 Frederick Street (ZB-2026-072) - 1 Frederick Street (ZB-2026-072)
  • Extension of Time of relief previously approved in ZB-2025-003
  • Variance: minimum frontage for a high-rise multi-family dwelling in RG-5 (Art. IV, Sec. 4, Table 4.2)
  • Variance: minimum parking for a multi-family dwelling (Art. IV, Sec. 7, Table 4.4)
  • Special Permit: To modify the parking dimensional, layout, and/or landscaping requirements, loading requirements, and/or the number of required parking spaces (Art. IV, Sec. 7.A.2)
  • Petitioner: Tiffany Nguyen
  • Present use: Three-family dwelling under construction.
  • Zone: RG-5 (Residence, General)
  • Purpose: Extension of time for previously approved relief to convert the structure to an eight-unit multi-family high-rise dwelling.
  • Public hearing and constructive grant deadlines: N/A (extension of time).

Other Business

  1. Scrivenor's Error Decisions - ZB-2026-053 - 714-716 Pleasant Street
  2. Communications
  3. Discussion of Board Policies and Procedures
  4. Approval of Minutes - 5/18/2026; 6/8/2026; 6/29/2026
  5. Adjournment

Item numbers in Other Business are as printed on the posted agenda (they continue from 11 although the hearings end at 13).

Transcript

Transcript pending: YouTube captions can't be retrieved yet (see the Worcester playbook).