Board grants frontage variance for 31 Chapel Street to allow single‑family home

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Aug. 11 approved a variance allowing a single‑family home at 31 Chapel Street despite insufficient frontage under the Urban Multifamily (UMF) district standards.

Attorney John Gary said the lot is roughly 4,643 square feet, long and narrow, and that the applicant planned a three‑bedroom, 2½‑bath house of about 2,000 square feet with a two‑car driveway accessed from a shared easement to the south. Gary told the board the proposal meets all dimensional requirements except frontage; the UMF district requires 55 feet of frontage and the lot has about 41.9 feet, short by roughly 13 feet.

Engineer Matt Hammer described the plan and noted the proposal includes two shade trees and sidewalk restoration; he said subsurface drainage will be provided and that the design minimizes impervious area compared with current pavement. Member McCarthy praised the reduction of paved area and the addition of green space and shade trees, and called the shared driveway “a great way of saving the green space on the lot itself.”

City staff supplied technical comments on stormwater, drainage and water‑department requirements; the applicant said they can meet those comments during construction and agreed to satisfy wastewater department requirements. The board approved the variance with the condition that the applicant address the wastewater department’s comments; Member McCarthy moved for approval and Member Prokop seconded. A roll call recorded approval by the members present.

The applicant must still complete any Planning Board or building‑permit steps; the variance permits the frontage relief that lets the lot be used for a single‑family home consistent with the board’s ruling.