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Lowell ZBA approves variance to enclose front porch at 73 Inland Street
Summary
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously May 12 to grant a variance allowing the enclosure of the front porch at 73 Inland Street, conditioned on submission of scaled drawings provided at the hearing and standard building permits.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on May 12 approved a variance allowing the property owner at 73 Inland Street to enclose the existing front porch, granting relief from the Lowell zoning ordinance on maximum floor‑area ratio and front‑yard setback with a condition that the application be amended to include scaled drawings submitted at the hearing.
The variance (ZBA‑2025‑4) was moved by Member McCarthy and seconded by Member Prokop; the board’s roll call recorded unanimous approval by Chairman Peck, Vice Chair Callahan, Member McCarthy, Member Bridal, Member Prokop and Member Hovey. The motion included the condition that the application be amended to include the drawing provided at the May 12 hearing (submitted 05/12/2025).
Board members said the applicant had worked with the building department and that Building Commissioner David Fuller’s memo showed the applicant had satisfied previously stated requirements. Member Prokop told the applicant, “I appreciate the work that you did working with the building commissioner,” and noted the updated scale drawing submitted at the meeting. Member McCarthy said the request was small and that, based on the building commissioner’s report, he could “look favorably on this.”
McCarthy also warned the applicant that aspects of the stair design appeared noncompliant. “Your stair design doesn't work per code. So what you have there puts you in the right of way with egress,” McCarthy said, and advised the owner to ensure a code‑compliant means of egress that does not discharge into a hazard such as a driveway. Several board members made approval conditional on submitting the complete paperwork to DPD (Department of Planning and Development) and obtaining any required building permits before work begins.
The petition requested relief under the Lowell Zoning Ordinance for maximum floor‑area ratio and front‑yard setback and asked for “any other relief required.” The applicant told the board they provided updated scaled drawings for the porch at the hearing and had previously met with Commissioner Fuller and DPD staff. The applicant confirmed the porch enclosure would include the roof and siding and that the existing stair configuration has seven risers.
The board’s action was limited to the variance request; members noted that a separate building permit will be required and that the applicant may need to return if additional relief is necessary. The board closed the public hearing with no speakers in favor or opposition prior to taking its vote.
The file will be amended to include the scaled drawings presented at the hearing; work remains subject to issuance of any required building permits and compliance with the building code.
