Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Sept 15, 2026

The City of Gardner Massachusetts Zoning Board of Appeals held a meeting on September 15, 2026, to consider two cases involving zoning variances and special permits. The first case involved a residential property at 623 West Street seeking a variance for setback relief to accommodate a farmer's porch and driveway configuration constrained by wetland setbacks. The board granted a 6-foot setback variance with conditions, noting no significant detriment to the neighborhood. The second case concerned a special permit request by Cher City Church for adaptive reuse of the historic Henry Haywood House at 100 Central Street. The church proposed operating a cafe and human services programs within the historic structure, requiring relief to allow two primary uses on the same lot. The board discussed the scope of renovations, parking availability, and operational plans, including restrictions on cooking equipment to limit hot food preparation. The historic preservation commission expressed support for the project, emphasizing its benefit to maintaining a significant historic property. The board scheduled site visits for October 1 and 3 to further evaluate the application before rendering a decision. No votes were taken on the special permit during this meeting.