Controversial home construction proposal sparks community debate

In a recent government meeting, the board reviewed a proposal for a new residential construction at 300 Ewing Street, submitted by 300 Ewing Street, LLC. The case, numbered Z 24, 510, involves a request for a variance to allow the construction of a two-story home on a lot that does not meet the minimum area requirement of 8,500 square feet. The existing lot measures 7,014 square feet.

The applicant plans to demolish the current single-story home and replace it with a new structure featuring 2,156 square feet of living space, including four bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with a detached one-car garage. The proposal complies with all other bulk requirements of the R-8 zoning district, except for the lot area.

During the meeting, board member Derek Bridger noted that the neighborhood consists predominantly of undersized lots, with 91% of the 22 lots on the block being below the required minimum size. This pattern raises questions about the feasibility of purchasing additional land to meet the zoning requirements, as neighboring lots are also undersized.

The applicant's architect, Marina Rubina, presented a slide deck detailing the project and addressing concerns regarding the potential impact on the root structure of a spruce tree on an adjacent property due to the proposed garage and driveway. The design includes concrete parking strips to minimize disruption to the tree's root system.

The board members engaged in discussions about the architectural plans and the overall compliance of the project with neighborhood standards. The meeting concluded with the board preparing to make a decision on the variance request, which is crucial for the applicant to proceed with the construction.