Lowell ZBA Approves 30-Unit Mill Conversion at 71 Willie Street 4-1

LOWELL — May 28, 2026 — Lowell Zoning Board approves 30-unit Willie Street mill conversion over a 29-space parking deficit. The board voted 4-1 Thursday to grant variances to 71 Willie Street, LLC to convert a long-vacant, three-story historic mill building in the Acre neighborhood into 15 one-bedroom and 15 studio units; Member Thomas Hovey dissented, citing the project's shortfall of 29 parking spaces against a code requirement of 60, and the absence of a completed Transportation Demand Management Plan. Attorney John Geary of Geary and Geary, LLP argued the 22,505-square-foot lot's physical constraints and the small unit sizes — studios at 440 to 475 square feet — justified the 31-space site plan, and principal Jim Zorbas said in-house property management would enforce a one-car-per-tenant policy. Member Daniel McCarthy, who moved approval, stressed that the Transportation Demand Management Plan condition is binding: the permit will not issue unless the city's Transportation Engineer approves the plan. The board also voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a variance for Three Bridge Development, Inc. to split a lot at 14 Jeanne D'Arc Street and build a new three-bedroom single-family home, with a condition limiting exposed foundation on side and rear elevations to three feet. The Willie Street project goes before the Lowell Planning Board for Site Plan Review and special permit approval on June 15, 2026.