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Planning Board approves 4-unit redesign at 558 Gorham Street
Summary
The Lowell Planning Board on Tuesday approved a site plan and special permit allowing LML Investments LLC to build a single-family home and a three‑unit building at 558 Gorham Street after the developer reduced the proposal from six to four units and addressed staff concerns on parking, landscaping and stormwater.
The Lowell Planning Board approved a site plan and special permit Tuesday to allow redevelopment of 558 Gorham Street into a single‑family house and a three‑unit building after the applicant reduced the proposal from six units to four.
The change was presented by Casey Ferreira of Howard St. Hudson, representing LML Investments LLC. Ferreira said the revised plan keeps the floor‑area ratio near the original submission while enlarging interior unit sizes, relocating garages so each dwelling has two enclosed spaces accessed from the buildings, and adding a single service parking space behind the single‑family house.
The redesign also responds to aesthetic concerns: Ferreira said the triplex façade was dressed to read from the street as a narrower single‑family house, and the site plan adds three street trees and foundation plantings. He told the board that engineering and stormwater officials had reviewed the revised plans and were satisfied after confirming the catch basin the project ties into is a City of Lowell asset.
Board members commended the developer for reducing unit count. “Very rarely do we have a project come before us and we suggest reducing the number of units,” Planning Board member Vishak said, calling the change a “real effort to try to address the concerns of the board.” Member Caleb and others said the revised landscaping and parking configuration addressed earlier criticisms.
The board’s approval included conditions that the project receive final sign‑off from the stormwater management team and that trash service be handled privately through a homeowners association; the board recorded a 5–0 vote in favor of both the special permit and the site plan.
Discussion versus action: the record shows board discussion of architecture, snow storage, curb resetting and whether MassDOT may alter the Lowell Connector in the future; the formal actions were the two approvals recorded by roll call. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public hearing segment.
The developer and staff were given direction to ensure the project’s final plans reflect the revised landscaping, garage access, and stormwater details before building permits are issued.
