{"id":16,"date":"2026-05-11T17:06:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/massachusettsmovingnews.com\/?p=16"},"modified":"2026-05-11T17:06:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T17:06:08","slug":"controversial-288-unit-worcester-housing-project-in-limbo-after-zoning-request-withdrawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/massachusettsmovingnews.com\/?p=16","title":{"rendered":"Controversial 288-unit Worcester housing project in limbo after zoning request withdrawn"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>A developer\u2019s request for a zoning change to build 288 apartments in Worcester has been withdrawn, leaving the future of the development in question. <\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/massachusettsmovingnews.com\/?p=14\">Popular all-day cafe based in NYC sets opening date for new Boston location<\/a><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Worcester\u2019s 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 The meeting, however, was canceled after the city clerk\u2019s office received a letter about the withdrawn petition.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>The letter was sent by Joshua Lee Smith, a lawyer for Bowditch &amp; Dewey, who represented Wood Partners during the petition\u2019s introduction at a February planning board meeting.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Smith and Wood partners did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Monday.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>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\u2019s and his company\u2019s names, according to Smith\u2019s letter. <\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Dubrey said he is not sure why Wood Partners withdrew the petition, only finding out recently that it was withdrawn.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re all trying to find out what\u2019s going on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>The proposed complex would be located on a peat bog nearby Doherty Memorial High School. <\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/massachusettsmovingnews.com\/?p=12\">Former Celtics assistant signs contract extension after breakout season<\/a><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>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\u2019t constructed properly. <\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis property really should be preserved in some manner and not built upon,\u201d Rosenblum said.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Other residents, such as Joe Haddad, previously expressed openness to the idea.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cAs a younger generation that finds it harder and harder to buy a house in Worcester, buy a condo in Worcester, if they commit, \u2018Hey, we\u2019re going to build X amount of condos and X amount of apartments, X amount will be affordable or low income,\u2019 I think that\u2019s more beneficial,\u201d Haddad said during the planning board\u2019s Feb. 18 meeting.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Alex London, another city resident, previously told MassLive that the city needs to build as much housing as possible.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>The city is currently facing a housing shortage and needs to add more than 12,000 units to meet demand by 2033.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis area is in a prime location and accessible to public transit,\u201d London said. \u201cPlus there\u2019s already a nearby apartment building on the peat meadow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/massachusettsmovingnews.com\/?p=10\">Live Wire: Holyoke\u2019s Donut Kings making tasty music for 40 years<\/a><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<section>\n<header>\n<h2>More news from Central Massachusetts<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul>\n<li>Worcester man dies after being hit by vehicle while trying to cross street<\/li>\n<li>Tradition from Asia comes to Worcester for the first time in September<\/li>\n<li>Teen arrested in connection with fatal stabbing of Worcester man in New York City<\/li>\n<li>Why a 3D printed goat remains the guest of honor at WPI\u2019s graduations<\/li>\n<li>Anna Maria College holds final commencement for Class of 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A developer\u2019s request for a zoning change to build 288 apartments in Worcester has been withdrawn, leaving the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-central-massachusetts"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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