Zoning Board OKs First Use Variance in Decades
Zoning Board · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Worcester's Zoning Board of Appeals grants the city's first use variance under a new state law, clearing a 20-unit townhouse project. The board voted 5-0 to approve GM Properties LLC's townhouse development at 321 Greenwood Street, with attorney Joshua Lee Smith calling it likely the first use variance Worcester has granted "in decades" under a budget-bill amendment that took effect in July. The same meeting continued Lamar Advertising's bid to convert a static billboard near Blackstone Gateway Park to digital, after Chair Jordan Burke Powers said, "I indeed would like to see some real numbers," on energy use before voting, pushing a decision to October 19.
The board also approved a contested conversion of a Crystal Street rooming house into 12 apartments despite residents' parking complaints, and cleared a special permit for a 50-dog training kennel on Main Street. All ten cases on the agenda passed unanimously, 5-0.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 4,260 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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