Controversial 288-unit Worcester housing project in limbo after zoning request withdrawn

A developer’s request for a zoning change to build 288 apartments in Worcester has been withdrawn, leaving the future of the development in question.

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The Atlanta-based firm Wood Partners sought to change the zoning at 1-3 Suburban Road for their proposed apartment complex. The change, if approved, would have allowed more density in the area to build the apartments.

Worcester’s standing committee on economic development was scheduled to review the proposed zoning change on May 13. The meeting, however, was canceled after the city clerk’s office received a letter about the withdrawn petition.

The letter was sent by Joshua Lee Smith, a lawyer for Bowditch & Dewey, who represented Wood Partners during the petition’s introduction at a February planning board meeting.

Smith and Wood partners did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Monday.

The petition lists Paul A. Dubrey Jr. and his limited liability company, Highland Associates of Worcester No. 2, LLC., as the owners of 1 and 3 Suburban Rd. The petition was put forward under Dubrey’s and his company’s names, according to Smith’s letter.

Dubrey said he is not sure why Wood Partners withdrew the petition, only finding out recently that it was withdrawn.

“We’re all trying to find out what’s going on,” he said.

The proposed complex would be located on a peat bog nearby Doherty Memorial High School.

The proposal to build an apartment complex on the peat bog, also known by the name of Peat Meadow, has drawn scrutiny from residents who live in the area.

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Residents previously told MassLive about their opposition to project, saying that if the bog is filled up, rain, snow and runoff water will flood the area, as the bog acted as a basin. They also expressed worry that the bog would sink if the apartments aren’t constructed properly.

One resident, Paula Rosenblum, found coal ash in the topsoil of the area. She said she is worried toxins could contaminate the surroundings if construction takes place.

“This property really should be preserved in some manner and not built upon,” Rosenblum said.

Other residents, such as Joe Haddad, previously expressed openness to the idea.

“As a younger generation that finds it harder and harder to buy a house in Worcester, buy a condo in Worcester, if they commit, ‘Hey, we’re going to build X amount of condos and X amount of apartments, X amount will be affordable or low income,’ I think that’s more beneficial,” Haddad said during the planning board’s Feb. 18 meeting.

Alex London, another city resident, previously told MassLive that the city needs to build as much housing as possible.

The city is currently facing a housing shortage and needs to add more than 12,000 units to meet demand by 2033.

“This area is in a prime location and accessible to public transit,” London said. “Plus there’s already a nearby apartment building on the peat meadow.”

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