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Lowell ZBA continues University Ave conversion petition after members press applicant to address parking, trash and snow storage
Summary
The Zoning Board continued a request to convert a mixed‑use building at 246 University Ave into four residential units, directing the applicant to provide a revised parking plan and details on trash pickup and snow storage before the July 14 hearing.
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals continued a variance petition for 246 University Ave to July 14 after members raised significant concerns about parking, trash pickup and snow storage tied to the proposed change from a three‑unit residential plus one commercial use to four residential units.
Ian Ainsley, the project engineer, described the application as a change of use: converting the existing commercial unit to create a four‑unit residential building. He said the property currently shows seven parking spaces; “If you were to do 4 residential units times 2, the requirement would be 8,” he said, and the petition therefore seeks relief from the minimum parking requirement. Owner and applicant Marsha Herbert (spelled in filing as Hebert in part of the record) described long ownership of the property and willingness to adjust the site: “I will do the right thing,” she told the board, noting she could relocate recycling and trash barrels to the rear to improve layout.
Board members and staff flagged multiple technical issues. Member Harvey said several of the seven marked spaces encroach on the public right‑of‑way and are therefore not conforming parking spaces; he said the application needs a revised plan that avoids forcing pedestrians into the street. Member McCarthy noted staff comments about trash and snow removal and that properties over three units often require different trash/dumpster arrangements; he asked the applicant to clarify whether city pickup will continue for a four‑unit building. The board suggested angled or diagonal parking and asked the applicant to demarcate snow storage and dumpster locations and revisit striping and space layout.
Given the outstanding site‑plan issues, Member McCarthy moved to continue ZBA‑2025‑23 to July 14, 2025, and Member Javi seconded. The motion passed by roll call. The board instructed the applicant to work with DPD and to provide a revised parking plan, trash/dumpster plan, snow storage plan and any dimensional adjustments before the next hearing.
