Residents of Leominster voiced strong opposition to a proposed development of over 300 new apartments during the city council meeting on August 25, 2025. John Gravel, a long-time resident of the Harvard Street neighborhood, raised concerns about the rapid urbanization of the area, which has transformed from farmland to a bustling urban environment over the past 50 years.

Gravel criticized the developer's approach, highlighting that they employed a team of professionals to navigate the planning process while the community remained largely uninformed. He pointed out that the city resurfaced Harvard Street just a year before announcing the development plans, questioning the timing and intent behind this decision.

The proposed zoning changes, specifically the MU 2 designation, would allow the developer to bypass the usual special permitting process, a move Gravel deemed alarming. He emphasized the ecological significance of the wetlands in the area, warning that the project could lead to environmental degradation and pose safety risks for children in the neighborhood.

In his passionate plea, Gravel urged city council members to reconsider their support for the project, asking them to reflect on whether they would want such a development in their own neighborhoods. He called for the conservation commission to oppose the project, framing it as a battle against "big money developers" and advocating for the preservation of the community's integrity.

The meeting also addressed other matters, including a request for a $42,000 appropriation for the transfer station and a proposal to exempt police lieutenant and sergeant positions from civil service laws. However, the primary focus remained on the contentious apartment development, with residents rallying for their voices to be heard in the decision-making process.