WOBURN - Without discussion, the City Council last night on a unanimous vote approved legislation that will create a special zoning district on a portion of the St. Anthony's parcel off Main Street in East Woburn.

The votes to add a new section of the zoning code entitled "Senior Housing Overlay" and to re-zone a 6-acre parcel may eventually led to the construction of a new assisted living facility for senior citizens.

Ward 6 Alderman Michael Raymond, who sponsored the legislation, said he was pleased with the outcome of the vote.

"Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel," said Raymond, whose district includes St. Anthony's parish. "We still have to go through the special permit process, but I think this is a good step forward not only for St. Anthony's but for the entire city of Woburn."

The zoning changes will allow Benchmark Assisted Living and Hawthorne Partners to submit a proposal for a 150-unit facility that was outlined at an Ordinance Committee meeting on Aug. 25.

Before then, some members of the council were reluctant to support the zoning change, but the presentation by the developer - Hawthorne Partners - and Benchmark, which will operate the facility, went a long way to allay many concerns.

"When I asked them to give a presentation, they came forward without hesitation and were honest and straight-forward," said Raymond. "They're a really class outfit."

St. Anthony's has a pending agreement to sell the 6-acre parcel and use the proceeds to build a parish center for religious education and other functions.

Many members of the parish and the church's pastor, the Rev. Richard Shmaruk, faithfully attended the council's meetings from the initial public hearing to last night's vote, which was greeted by a round of applause.

Benchmark is the largest privately-held assisted living company in New England, and has built 43 projects with more than 4,000 residents and 3,000 employees.

Hawthorne Partners, which is located in Baldwin Park, just steps from the St. Anthony's site, specializes in senior housing development and has "successfully procured all permits and approvals for 25-plus assisted living (Continuing Care Retirement Communities)," according to documents provided to the council last month.

The conceptual plans consist of 60 "independent living" units, 60 "assisted living" units and 30 units for patients with Alzheimer's disease or a similar condition.

The building, if the special permit is approved, will be three stories, with a 30-foot right-of-way in the back of the building conveyed to the city and the Middlesex Canal Commission for a walking trail.