Public hearing set and application tabled for 9‑unit conversion at 35 Wallace Avenue

The Planning Board on March 4 set a public hearing for April 1 and tabled an application to convert the former commercial storage property at 35 Wallace Avenue into a nine‑unit apartment building.

Applicant Jason Guy said the property — in his family since 1993 and formerly a bottling plant and other commercial uses — would be converted to nine ground‑floor units (eight two‑bedroom units and one efficiency) with mechanical equipment and access on a second‑floor area. "All 9 apartments are gonna be on the Ground Floor," Guy said; he added he plans market‑rate rents of about $1,000 to $1,200 for a two‑bedroom unit and that John Triskin of Crown Royalty will manage the property.

Neighbors at the meeting raised traffic, parking and playground safety concerns. Mary Beth Wilson, who lives on Underwood Street across from the site, said she was worried about increased vehicle volume exiting onto Underwood Street and about impacts to families who use the nearby playground. "My concern is parking because your exit is Underwood Street... Underwood Street has 19 houses... I feel like it's going to be (an issue)," Wilson said. Another neighbor, Roseanne Hite of Underwood Street, called nine units "excessive" for the block and said the street should remain primarily single‑family homes.

Staff noted the city's R‑2 zoning and that the special use permit process requires a public hearing. Planning staff member Ashley Calderon told the board the city code requires a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit; the applicant currently proposes 14 parking spaces (reduced from an earlier 17) and staff asked the applicant to accommodate ADA parking and trash access as part of the final layout. The board voted to set a public hearing for April 1 and then tabled the application so staff can continue to review lot size and other zoning questions.

Motions at the meeting included a motion to set a public hearing (mover: Fran Deloia; second: Andy Tehan) and a motion to table the application (mover: Theresa Walsh; second: Andy Tehan); roll calls on both motions were unanimous in favor. The application will return to the board after staff completes its review and any required notices for the public hearing have been posted.