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Planning board recommends approval for Felipe’s Driving School at 471 Eastern Ave; parking relief to be handled administratively
Summary
The board recommended approval for a driving school to occupy ground‑floor space at 471 Eastern Avenue, where instructors provide classroom and on‑road instruction; the petitioner will pursue a minor modification to an existing zoning decision to use two existing parking spaces.
The Chelsea Planning Board voted Aug. 5 to recommend approval of a driving‑school use at 471 Eastern Ave., after hearing from the applicant and the property owner that operations rely primarily on online classroom work plus off‑site in‑car instruction. The board concluded the business model does not require the full parking count that would normally be required for a school use and recommended approval with standard site‑plan conditions.
Why it matters: The city currently lacks a driving school; the petitioner emphasized in‑car instruction is performed at students’ homes and that the program will require in‑person classroom hours mandated by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The board noted the property owner will file a zoning modification because two onsite parking spaces were previously dedicated to an upper‑floor residential unit.
Key facts - Applicant Felipe Aguilera will offer classroom instruction and road‑skill training. During in‑car instruction, the school uses a single vehicle to meet and teach students at their homes; the petitioner said a standard classroom occupancy will return after temporary COVID changes. - The site has two on‑site spaces; the owner confirmed those two spaces are available and said the current tenants do not use them. The Planning Board recommended approval and noted the applicant should pursue a zoning modification of a prior ZBA decision that had dedicated the spaces to upstairs units. - The Planning Board recommended approval subject to standard conditions; the petitioner will coordinate with zoning staff and the Department of Permitting and Land Use on any required administrative modifications.
Quote - Owner Elva Rojas (471 Eastern Ave.) said: “They don’t have cars. So I can certainly give the parking spaces to Felipe to do his driving school.”
Next steps - Petitioner will apply for the administrative modification to the prior Zoning Board decision that dedicated the two spaces to an upper floor use; building and sign permits will follow Planning Department review.
