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Zoning board approves takeout restaurant at 180 Liberty St., with six-month review on parking
Summary
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to allow a takeout-only restaurant to open at an existing convenience store at 180 Liberty Street, approving relief from the minimum parking requirement and adding a six-month administrative review tied to the occupancy permit.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on March 24 approved a variance so the owner of 180 Liberty Street can add a takeout-only restaurant to an existing convenience store, granting relief from the ordinance parking minimums and requiring an administrative review six months after the building occupancy permit is issued.
Neighbors opposed the proposal at the public hearing, citing limited on-street parking, frequent congestion on Liberty Street and Grace Street, and litter. Deborah Felton, who said she lives at 183 Liberty Street directly across from the store, told the board she and other residents “can hardly find street parking now” and said customers stopping at the store already block driveways and leave trash in front yards and on sidewalks.
The applicants — Jessica Kennett, who identified herself as representing the property at 180 Liberty Street, and her uncle, applicant Kimsang Singh — told the board the business has seen a steep decline since COVID and the owner hopes a takeout menu with no seating will supplement income and keep the store operating. Kennett said the takeout portion would operate roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and emphasized there would be “no seating at all.”
DPD staff and several board members asked for clarification about existing parking on the lot and nearby streets. Dylan, a Department of Planning and Development staff member, told the board the application materials cite two on-site parking spaces but did not confirm whether those spaces are dedicated to the business. Board member Suprokop said the drawings lacked sufficient detail on parking and recommended the applicant return with more precise dimensions if needed.
Board members who spoke in favor said the applicant is offering off-street parking and that the proposed use is similar to previous pre-COVID activity at the site. Member Dennis McCarthy, who moved approval, said the takeout hours and the applicant’s plan to keep a small convenience-store section made him “favorable” to the petition. Several members said they sympathized with neighbors’ concerns but considered the requested relief minimal.
The board approved the variance on a roll-call vote. The motion (approved with conditions) granted relief under Section 6.1 for minimum parking requirements for ZBA-2025-6. The approval was conditioned on a six-month administrative review measured from issuance of the occupancy permit; DPD staff confirmed the review start point would be occupancy permit issuance.
Outcome and next steps: The applicant was directed to file required building and occupancy permits. The board’s action allows the owner to proceed with necessary permitting and requires staff to monitor parking and neighborhood impacts during the first six months of operation following occupancy.
