Woburn Special Permits Committee Sends Gym and Dog Kennel Permits to Full Council

HALIFAX -- May 11, 2026, Woburn's Special Permits Committee advanced two petitions to the full City Council on Monday and held a senior housing expansion in committee. The committee, chaired by a fill-in in the absence of Chair Councilor Marissa Bruin, voted unanimously to send a favorable report for a change of use at 102 Main Street from a dry cleaner to a private gym under eight conditions, including 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours and a non-transferable permit to LOB Industries LLC. Better Companion Dog Training LLC at 41 High Street also earned a favorable report under 12 conditions, including a cap of 15 dogs on premises, mandatory compliance with Ollie's Law, and a six-month written status report from Animal Control Officer Donovan covering any complaints. The proposed 20-unit addition to the New Horizons senior campus at 21 Warren Avenue, revised down from 26 units and trimmed by 12 and a half feet in length by applicant Cummings Properties, was left in committee pending finalized draft conditions and a department head meeting; current average monthly rent across the existing 113 units is approximately $3,400 including meals and housekeeping. On 20 Franklin Street, abutters challenged the city solicitor's conclusion that the fire-damaged structure is a legal pre-existing three-family, presenting voter registration records showing gaps in three-family occupancy in the 1970s and 1980s and two single-family building permits issued to two different owners 24 years apart; the item was sent back for further action.