Zoning board approves conversion at 144 Medford Street with roof‑deck limits

The Chelsea Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit and variances for 144 Medford Street, allowing owner Michael Masucci to convert an existing single‑family building into two residential units and add a roof deck subject to conditions.

The planning department had recommended approval. Planner Will Checho told the board: "The planning board recommended approval, of the special permit with standard conditions as applicable," and the board adopted conditions including prohibitions on gas grills and umbrellas on the roof deck and a restriction that the one smaller unit be ineligible for the city’s on‑street residential parking sticker program.

Masucci, who identified himself as Michael Masucci of 4 Medford Street, told the board he purchased the property in February and described the building’s interior work: "I bought this property back in February. I bought it off market. It had 2 electric meters and 2 gas meters. I was under the assumption it was a 2 family house," and he described plans to reframe joists, relocate a stair and provide a second means of egress from upper floors to the courtyard and future roof deck.

A neighbor, Thomas Johnson of 2 Medford Street, spoke in opposition and described neighborhood parking and construction concerns. Johnson said the row houses are narrow and attached by brick firewalls, and raised issues with construction staging, dumpsters and debris. "You can't drive through the city anymore without getting stuck in traffic," Johnson said, describing what he called broader parking pressure in the neighborhood.

Masucci acknowledged a permitted demolition dumpster on the street and that his contractor had been fined for leftover concrete. He said the dumpster permit is valid for one year.

Board members discussed variance criteria and special‑permit standards, noting the lot’s small size and that the project would not expand the building’s footprint. The board also recorded that the building work must comply with Mass. General Laws and applicable building codes. After discussion, a motion to approve the special permit and associated variances passed, with the board adopting the planning department’s standard conditions: no gas grills or umbrellas on the roof deck, the smaller (basement/first‑floor) unit will be ineligible for the city on‑street parking sticker program, and roof‑deck elements must not be visible from public ways. The chair noted the decision will be written up and that there is a statutory appeal period: "They have the right to appeal ... it will take a couple weeks to write it up... there is a 21 day appeal period."

The approval allows interior renovations and creation of two residential units but does not permit work to proceed until the written decision is filed and the appeal period has passed.

Votes and motions recorded in the hearing transcript did not include a roll‑call tally; the transcript records a motion to approve, a second and the board answering "Aye" to the vote. The written decision will specify the formal vote tally and any administrative conditions.

Key next steps: the applicant must wait for the written decision and the 21‑day appeal period before obtaining final permits and proceeding with construction.