Commission recommends approval to consolidate Saint Mary’s Church parcels, with historic‑preservation conditions

The Augusta Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning (Z‑25‑45) and companion special exception (SC‑25‑15) to consolidate several parcels for Saint Mary’s Church and to allow existing church uses across the site. The site, in the Somerville Historic District, includes multiple parcels bounded by Montesano Avenue, McDowell Street and Arsenal Avenue.

Planning staff said the rezoning request cleans up inconsistent parcel zoning (R1 and R3B) and would allow the church site to function as a unified parcel; staff recommended approval subject to Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review and issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), compliance with the Augusta Tree Ordinance, and standard site‑plan review and development regulations.

Dennis Welch of Cranston LLC, representing the applicant, said the request was a housekeeping rezoning to consolidate the site to facilitate future expansions and site improvements. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved both the rezoning and the special exception; both items will be forwarded to the Augusta Commission on Jan. 6 with approval recommendations.