WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Economic Development Committee is currently reviewing the Town’s Zoning Use Table in an effort to propose changes which will attract more commercial businesses to industrially zoned areas.

“The zoning in our industrial zones is somewhat restricted, especially compared to other towns,” explained Select Board member and Committee member Jake Gearwar. “There should be an allowance for more commercial development – for the things people have been asking for.”

Gearwar noted large retail stores and general service restaurants, as examples, aren’t even allowed in General Industrial Zones under the town’s current zoning bylaws.

“Why wouldn’t we allow a Costco on Industrial Way?,” Gearwar rhetorically asked, later noting the New Boston Street Bridge, connecting South Wilmington to North Wilmington over the Boston-Lowell railroad tracks, is slated to open later this summer.

Gearwar has been working with fellow Committee member Suzanne Sullivan, a former Selectwoman, and Planning and Conservation Director Valerie Gingrich on the proposed changes to the zoning table.

The Economic Development Committee intends to present their proposed changes to the Planning Board and Select Board, with hopes of voters supporting the changes at the 2027 Annual Town Meeting.

Gearwar stressed no zoning changes are being proposed for residential zones — only general industrial, highway industrial, and light industrial.

Gearwar cited the town of Billerica as his inspiration to review the zoning table.

“Billerica just did this exact type of thing at a Town Meeting, and it passed nearly unanimously,” he stated. “Most of these changes have already been done in other towns. They will make us competitive.”

A Summary Of The Proposed Changes

General Industrial Zones

General Industrial zoned areas include portions of South Wilmington, near the Woburn line: Industrial Way, Jewel Drive, Eames Street, Progress Way, Old Main Street, and the beginnings of Woburn Street and West Street.

General Industrial zoned areas also include portions of North Wilmington, near the Andover line: Jonspin Road, Upton Drive, parts of Andover Street, and parts along Route 125, as well as Salem Street/Route 62 as it heads into North Reading.

There are also a couple of very small General Industrial zoned areas in the middle of Wilmington, including Lopez Road and Waltham Street.

Currently, large retail stores, general service restaurants, personal service shops, car washes, brew pubs, and breweries/distilleries/wineries are NOT permitted in General Industrial Zones. Under the proposed changes, these uses would be allowed.

Additionally, if the proposed changes are adopted, it would be easier for small retail stores and limited service restaurants to open in General Industrial Zones, as they would no longer require a special permit.

Highway Industrial Zones

Highway industrial zoned areas include Fordham Road and Cornell Place, near the North Reading line, and along portions of Ballardvale Street and Route 93, near the Andover line.

Under the proposed changes, it would be easier for the following types of businesses to open, without the need for a special permit: Large Retail Store, Small Retail Store, Hotel/Motel, Vet, Petcare Facility, Car Rental, Car Repair, Hospital, and Nursing Home.

The changes would also permit the following uses, which are currently banned in the Highway Industrial Zone: Nursey Schools, Car Dealerships, Car Washes, and Marijuana Establishments.

Of note, Wilmington has an active ban on marijuana establishments, which include: marijuana cultivator, marijuana testing facility, marijuana product manufacturer, marijuana retailer or any other type of licensed marijuana-related business. Under the proposed changes, marijuana establishments would be allowed in Wilmington, but only in a Highway Industrial Zone.

Light Industrial Zones

Wilmington’s sole Light Industrial Zone includes the start of Burlington Avenue, where 38/129 and 62 intersect, where PODS and Wilmington Veterinary Hospital, among others, are located. The zone actually travels along Main Street, from Cross Street up to Clark Street, although much of the zone is behind existing general business and central business zoning.

Currently, general service restaurants, personal service shops, auto repair, car rentals, nursery schools, nursing homes, hospitals, brew pups, and breweries/distilleries/wineries, bulk material storage or sales, and R&D uses are NOT permitted in Light Industrial Zones. Under the proposed changes, these would be allowed.

Additionally, if the propose changes are adopted, it would be easier for all retail stores and limited service restaurants to open, without special permits.

See the town’s zoning map HERE. General Industrial Zones BLUE. Highway Industrial Zones are YELLOW. The Light Industrial Zone is GRAY.

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