ZBA approves 96-unit Chelmsford Arms senior housing

Zoning Board · Meeting of July 9, 2026

CHELMSFORD — The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a Chapter 40B permit for 96 affordable senior rental units at 1 Smith Street. The vote was unanimous. Attorney Melissa Robbins said all department comments had been resolved, and the Chelmsford Housing Authority site would be rebuilt.

The board elected Jamie chair and Charlie vice chair. It upheld a building official's order that the Windemere at Chelmsford Condominium Trust maintain a buffer of trees beside 217 Princeton Street, after neighbors said the trees had grown to 40 or 50 feet. A bid for a variance for a retaining wall at 20 Mount Auburn Street failed 4-1, and a Frank Street lot-split request was withdrawn without prejudice.

In the full story:

• Board Reorganization and Meeting Dates
• 1 Smith Street (Chelmsford Arms)
• 243 Riverneck Road
• Windemere Lane Administrative Appeal
• 5 Frank Street and 2 Bisson Street
• 20 Mount Auburn Street
• Minutes and Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,870 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of July 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.