Gardner MA Planning Board Makes Final Recommendations on 3 Zoning Matters
The Planning Board met on April 11, 2023. Listen to the meeting on any device. Click Play.
The Route 140 zoning measure was taken up and the vote was 3 to 2 on a recommendation to NOT approve the Zoning change. Chairman Mark Schafron voted to NOT recommend after stating at the beginning of the meeting he was “on the fence.” Paul Cormer voted to NOT recommend after stating that the land should remain as is. Stephen Cormier voted to NOT recommend after also stating the land should remain as is. Vice Chairman Robert Swartz voted in favor of the Zoning Change stating that “saying no was a disservice to the City”, and Robert Bettez voted in favor of the Zoning Change.
Vote was taken last on the final recommendations on the Sports Betting and Marijuana Zoning change measures. Vote was unanimous in favor of both of these.
All 3 items will be taken up and voted on by the City Council at its meeting of Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The Gardner City Council may take the Planning Board recommendations under consideration, but will vote as it chooses. (Tuesday meeting due to Patriot’s Day on Monday) Previously, the matters were considered by the Planning Board at 2 meetings in March and at a Joint Public Hearing with the City Council on April 3, 2023.
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson is in favor of the Gardner City Council approving his Route 140 zoning change request stating in a previous communication, “If we as a City want to revitalize our economy, grow our tax base, lessen the tax burden on our residents, provide jobs for those who live here, and provide resources to meet our growing population, then something like this must be done or the City will soon be left behind without reaching its true and full potential”