ZBA approves one apartment at Christopher’s Cafe property; prior second‑unit variance to be withdrawn

The City of Lynn Zoning Board of Appeals on March 4 approved a petition to add a first‑floor residential unit at 26 Lewis Street, the mixed‑use building that houses Christopher’s Cafe, with a condition that a previously issued variance allowing an additional second‑floor unit may not be exercised in the future.

The board read a letter from Ward 3 City Councilor Allison expressing support for the petition while asking the petitioner to clarify whether an earlier variance for a second‑floor unit remained exercisable; the councilor requested a condition that would prevent both approvals from being used to create multiple additional units. Petitioner David Chow and his attorney described the property’s long mixed‑use history and said the proposed first‑floor unit would be located at the rear of the kitchen and would preserve the character and community uses of the cafe.

Several neighbors spoke in favor: Duncan Maitland, who said the building formerly housed a well‑known bakery and praised the petitioner’s community involvement, told the board, “He is an absolute asset to the community and I'm totally in favor of what he plans on doing.” The board motioned to grant the petition conditioned on withdrawing the prior variance; members voted to approve the condition and the new first‑floor unit. The transcript records affirmative votes from Members Paez, Christopher, Olsen, Krowitz and Chair Lopez Hernandez.

The board’s decision allows one additional residential unit on the first floor while leaving the existing second‑floor unit in place and prevents the petitioner from later exercising the earlier variance that would have authorized another additional unit unless the applicant pursues a new petition.