The Chelsea Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday declined a request for multiple variances tied to a proposed subdivision and new house at 18 Grandview Road and to relief for the adjoining lot at 24 Grandview Road.

Attorney Rebecca Edmonson Quorum, representing owner Elmer Castillo, told the board the two existing parcels were created by a 1988 subdivision and that the owner seeks relief for minimum lot size and frontage and a front setback so the newly created 18 Grandview parcel could be built upon. She said the proposal had been revised since the prior submission and that the applicant scaled back an earlier duplex design to a single‑family home with two parking spaces, an underground garage and three full bathrooms.

Planning Department staff noted the Planning Board had recommended approval with conditions (permeable paving, a landscape and lighting plan, International Dark-Sky compliant lighting, and a rodent control plan). Board members questioned whether the applicant had demonstrated the hardship required for variances under state zoning law. Several members said the proposed relief appeared to change the underlying lot standards rather than addressing a site‑specific hardship.

After debate the board voted against granting the variances necessary for the subdivision and/or lot relief; a final motion to approve failed and the petition was not granted. The applicant was advised to continue working with city staff and neighbors and to return with revised materials if they choose to pursue the project in another form.