Commission preliminarily approves 19-room lodging house at 51 Illinois St.; manager and occupancy inspections required

The Worcester License Commission voted to approve a lodging-house application for 51 Illinois Street, a former rectory the applicants plan to convert into shared lodging with 19 rooms; the approval is subject to final occupancy and manager approvals and required inspections.

Attorney Donald O—Neil represented Worcester Affordable Housing LLC and said the applicant expects to close on the property in about two weeks and has already obtained zoning and planning approvals. The planned facility would have 19 sleeping rooms (one occupied by the on-site manager) and eight shared bathrooms; the applicant said a resident manager would live on-site and that the project includes a screening process for potential residents.

Inspectional Services staff said the quality-of-life team will conduct background and quarry checks on the proposed resident manager, and that all normal building, occupancy and health inspections must be completed before residents move in. The commission approved the application "subject to the occupancy and the manager approval," with a unanimous vote.

Commissioners noted the need for a manager on-site and for clear screening policies; applicant representatives said they will provide supplemental application materials and complete inspections before opening. The commission—s approval enables the applicants to continue with renovation planning while finalizing manager and occupancy clearances.