Planning Board denies two projects, elects new chair

Planning Board · Meeting of October 5, 2026

Lowell Planning Board denies two stalled projects and installs new leadership. Meeting Monday, the board voted unanimously to deny site plan and special permit approval for TLGLE LLC's 12-unit conversion at 123 University Avenue, citing a shortfall of 24 required parking spaces, no trash storage plan, and inconsistent landscaping claims. It separately voted 5-0 to deny LM Properties LLC's parking lot proposal at 16 and 24 Stedman Street over inadequate public notice and multiple zoning deficiencies, including missing screening and roughly 10 required shade trees that were never shown on the plans.

Neither applicant appeared at the meeting or filed a written continuance request, forcing the board to act before a 45-day statutory deadline. Member Dan Tenzer, who moved to deny both projects, said of the pattern of no-shows: "I just don't get it." The board also elected Tom Linehan as chair and Jerry Frechette as vice chair for the coming year, with Frechette also returning for what he called his "last and final" term as the board's NEMCOG representative after 17 years as that body's treasurer.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,224 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.