The Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals on May 14 approved an increase in permitted parking at 2 Roxanna Street, allowing the applicant to expand from the currently permitted count to 31 vehicle spaces under conditions intended to improve aesthetics and safety.

Dave Sadowski, the applicant’s civil engineer representing Elias Montero, sought permission to increase vehicle capacity to accommodate the lot’s sales operation. Board members who inspected the site said they observed approximately 28 cars on the lot and expressed concerns about vehicles encroaching near the sidewalk and the visual character along the street.

After discussion about safety, visibility and maintenance, the board imposed conditions: paving and striping of the lot, a decorative perimeter fence (3-foot maximum height was suggested during the hearing) or similar low barrier, and a landscaped buffer at the sidewalk edge (members discussed crushed stone or architectural stone as low-maintenance alternatives). Board members estimated losing several front spaces to create the buffer and fence; the motion that passed reduced the applicant’s requested total and approved 31 spaces with the conditions described.

The board recorded its approval by voice vote; the applicant was told he could appeal the decision if he disagreed with the conditions. The board instructed no additional site plan submittals during the hearing, but members and the applicant noted the need for pavement, striping, and delineated landscaped/fence details to be implemented before full use of the new capacity.