Wellesley Planning Board Questions Unit Count in Worcester Street Rezoning Pitch

WELLESLEY -- June 15, 2026, Wellesley Planning Board hears preliminary pitch for 15-unit condo project on Route 9, raises math and land-ownership concerns. At the June 15 Zoom meeting, attended by only Chair Marc Charney, Vice Chair Thomas Taylor, and Member James Roberti, applicant Dean Barron presented plans to rezone four parcels at 136-140 Worcester Street from Single Residence 15 to Multi-Unit Residence District for a three-story, 15-unit condominium building with underground parking and three affordable units. Taylor pointed to a conflict between the architect's stated lot area of 47,000 square feet and Metro West Engineering's survey figure of 37,511 square feet, and read directly from the zoning bylaw, 3,000 square feet minimum per dwelling unit, to conclude the parcel as measured supports only 12 units. Taylor also identified a strip of land to the west of the site that he believes is town-owned, which would require Select Board approval for any access or utility use. Charney signaled the board is moving toward a model in which applicants file their own citizen's petitions for zoning changes rather than relying on Planning Board sponsorship. The board also voted 3-0 to continue two 26 Washington Street special permits to June 29 and announced that incoming Planning Director Rob Wachilla will start July 8.