Summary

Zoning Board Advances Housing and Business Projects

WorcesterMar 16, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The board approved several development applications, including a proposed 19-story, approximately 225-unit mixed-use building at 56 Pleasant Street and a 41-unit affordable housing project at 11 Hammond Street. It also approved traffic and access changes at 75 Quinsigamond Avenue, including a physical barrier to prevent illegal turns.

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Zoning Board of Appeals

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TransportationCommerceHousing

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What this means

The approvals allow several housing, commercial, and property-improvement projects to move forward, generally with conditions, design recommendations, and zoning waivers. The board continued the 149 Plantation Street hearing for 48 proposed apartments to April 27 because members wanted more information about neighborhood fit, site design, and alternatives. The 2 Northboro Street restaurant proposal was continued to April 6 amid concerns about parking, traffic, and operating hours.

Key decisions

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Approved setback relief with conditions, recommendations, and waivers for the proposed approximately 19-story, 225-unit mixed-use building at 56 Pleasant Street and 0 Aldrich Place.
Approved amendments and site-access improvements for 75 Quinsigamond Avenue, including a required physical barrier at the northerly driveway to prevent illegal turns, subject to design approval.
Continued the 149 Plantation Street hearing to April 27, 2026, with a constructive grant deadline of May 19, 2026, for a proposed 48-unit multifamily development.
Approved a special permit for the approximately 1,296-square-foot detached garage with an accessory dwelling unit planned above it at 28 Harrington Way.
Approved the conversion of 158 Austin Street from a three-family to a four-unit dwelling with amended conditions, including removal of a landscaping requirement near the basement window well.
Continued the 2 Northboro Street food-service proposal to April 6, 2026, with a constructive grant deadline of April 27, 2026.
Approved the expansion of vehicle storage at 76 and 78 West Mountain Street, with conditions requiring appropriate fencing and landscaping to separate commercial storage from the residential portion of the property.
Approved a parking variance for 11 Hammond Street, allowing 35 spaces instead of the required 41 for a proposed 41-unit affordable housing project.
Approved an amendment for the 1103 Millbury Street project to correct the zoning-line error affecting the previously approved approximately 40-unit multifamily development.
Postponed the 417 Cambridge Street and 421 Cambridge Street hearings to April 6, 2026, and approved withdrawal of the 269 Brooks Street application.
Tabled approval of the March 2, 2026, minutes until the next meeting.

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