Equivise Limited is seeking a special permit to develop an 84-unit cluster housing development on nine acres off West Boylston Street. According to Katie Donovan, the city's land use planner, this is Worcester's first cluster zoning proposal since the city adopted a cluster zoning ordinance in 1991. The site is zoned for single family housing and duplexes so the development only requires a special permit which is up to the Planning Board's discretion.
Donovan tells GlobeSt.com that a cluster housing development maintains the integrity of a site while allowing for denser development by concentrating the units in small buildings and leaving more open space around the buildings. These kinds of developments, she points out, "aren't as disturbing as a" standard housing development.
The developer initially wanted to build over 100 units but has scaled down to the proposed 84. But Donovan points out that there is still much local opposition to the plan. One of the main concerns voiced by the opposition is the density. "They say they would rather have single family houses," says Donovan.
Worcester Paradise Pointe Realty Trust is seeking a special permit to develop an over-55 continuing care retirement community on a 14.5 acre parcel off Mountain Street East. This kind of development is popping up in many areas in the state and Donovan points out that it is much easier to get by a town or city's planning board than condominiums. Local residents also tend to favor this type of development because it doesn't place a burden on the area schools.
The Westborough-based developer originally proposed a 314-unit development but has since scaled back to 104 because of local opposition. The extra 110 units were going to be in a six-story building which has since been scrapped because, says Donovan, the developer faced intense resistance from local residents.
But Donovan adds that the residents are still not pleased with this plan or the cluster housing development. "It's understandable," she says, "but something will be developed on both these properties. What will actually be built there is still unclear.
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