Unscientific Polls show support for change to Commercial Zoning is Weak
There are only 273 votes reflected in the chart, so the results need to be treated with extreme caution. However, with just over 32% of the votes supporting a change to commercial for those Route 140 parcels and about 68% favoring to leave them as residential or change to some form of “open space”, more discussion will certainly take place.
The Gardner Planning Board will be meeting again on this issue and 2 other proposed zoning changes (increasing number of marijuana establishments and adding Sports Betting to zoning table) on September 19, 2023. At its short 12 minute August meeting, the Board asked for some legal guidance from the City Law Department and will most likely reveal those opinions at the September meeting. Once the Planning Board gives its preliminary recommendations, a joint public hearing with the Gardner City Council will be held at a date to be announced. Citizens will most likely be allowed to speak up to 3 minutes each in favor of or in opposition. Matters will then be sent back to the Planning Board for final recommendations. City Council then votes on the matters.