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Planning board approves conversion of 2‑family at 353 Wilder St. to three units with tree protection condition
Summary
The Lowell Planning Board approved a special permit to convert an existing two‑family house at 353 Wilder Street into a three‑family, with the applicant required to preserve the mature trees on the lot as a condition of approval.
The Lowell Planning Board voted to approve a special permit allowing Conamo Holdings LLC to convert an existing two‑family home at 353 Wilder Street into a three‑family building, with a condition that the mature trees on the lot remain in place. Attorney Catherine Flood, representing Conamo Holdings LLC, told the board the work will be largely interior and that the exterior footprint will not change.
The permit matter matters because it increases the number of dwelling units on a property in a traditional multifamily zoning district and required board review under Article 12.1 of the Lowell zoning ordinance. Flood said the property has about 11,604 square feet of land and approximately 4,948 square feet of living space, that there will be no exterior expansion except siding and window changes, and that the project has eight off‑street parking spaces accessed from Princeton Boulevard. Paul Campbell of Chess Engineering said the site plan was revised to incorporate the city transportation planner’s recommendations, including a 17‑foot drive aisle and a turnaround to allow vehicles to exit safely.
Board members pressed the applicant on stormwater and maintenance. Campbell said the Lowell wastewater utility approved the stormwater permit and described a plan to collect parking lot runoff to a driveway catch basin and underground conveyance. Planning Board member Mr. Visek said he is “very familiar with the building” and with nearby housing and supported the project but emphasized adherence to an operations and maintenance plan for the infiltration system. Flood confirmed the property will connect to city water and sewer and that the applicant obtained the variances granted earlier by the zoning board.
During review the board discussed fire‑safety measures and trees. Flood and the applicant confirmed the property will be sprinklered in response to fire department comments. Mr. Visek moved approval with a single condition that the mature trees on the property remain; the motion carried without recorded opposition.
The board’s approval is a land‑use decision under the Lowell zoning ordinance; it does not itself change building permit or inspection requirements. The applicant and project engineer said they will comply with necessary permits and inspections before construction or occupancy.
