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Board allows Barnum Ave. lot split; existing house retains nonconforming garage setback and FAR variance
Summary
The ZBA approved a subdivision to split 1470 Barnum Ave. into two ~10,000-square-foot lots; the remaining lot with the existing house requires variances for an existing garage side-yard/drive setback and for floor-area ratio (FAR). The board granted the requested variances.
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals on March 24 approved a petition to subdivide 1470 Barnum Avenue into two approximately 10,000-square-foot lots and granted the variances needed for the remaining parcel that will keep the existing house in place.
Attorney Joseph Claremont represented the family that owns the property and said the family has held the lot for more than 40 years and plans to sell one of the new lots to help fund a family member’s care. The existing home and garage will remain; the proposed lot split would create a new buildable single-family parcel of about 10,010 square feet. The remaining lot, occupied by the current house, would be about 10,008 square feet and would require a front-yard variance for a preexisting nonconforming garage (the garage sits at 10.1 feet where 30 is required) and a variance for the floor-area ratio (FAR) on the remaining lot.
No members of the public opposed the petition, and staff comments were minimal. Board members described the split as straightforward and consistent with neighborhood lot patterns; members said the proposed subdivision would likely increase the housing supply and that the relief requested applies to existing nonconforming conditions.
The board approved the subdivision and the variances in roll-call votes and instructed staff to include standard conditions and to ensure the new lot and remainder meet permitting requirements before any building occurs.
