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Board allows conversion of Branch Street commercial unit to two residences; one deeded parking spot retained
Summary
The Lowell Planning Board approved a site plan and a special permit to convert a ground‑floor commercial unit at 110 Branch Street into two residential units, increasing the building from 11 to 12 units, and required that one deeded parking space remain designated for the unit and that the applicant comply with any building inspector conditions.
The Lowell Planning Board approved both site plan review and a special permit allowing the conversion of a ground‑floor commercial space at 110 Branch Street into two residential units, bringing the existing building from 11 to 12 units. Applicant Sofwan Singh told the board the work is interior only and that the building is already sprinklered.
Board members noted the building has eight deeded parking spaces across the street recorded at the registry of deeds, and that one of those spaces is currently reserved for the commercial unit. To address board concerns about parking, the site plan approval and the special‑permit approval both include a condition that one deeded parking space remain designated for the unit after conversion. The special permit also included a condition requiring the applicant to comply with any requests or conditions from the building inspector; members flagged an existing stop‑work notice on the property dated June 5 and asked the applicant to coordinate with the Building Department.
During discussion, members said the commercial space has been vacant for some time and that adding housing in the mixed‑use zone aligns with neighborhood character. The board acknowledged the project required variances from the Zoning Board for lot area per unit, open space per unit and parking; the applicant said those variances were granted. One board member observed that off‑street parking is limited in the area and that the deeded parking spot is important to preserve with the conversion. The board approved the site plan first and then the special permit; both motions carried without recorded opposition.
The approvals authorize the land‑use changes under the Lowell zoning ordinance (site plan review and Article 12.1 special permit). They do not remove the need for building permits or for the applicant to satisfy any outstanding stop‑work or permitting requirements before further work or occupancy.
