ZBA continues hearing on conversion of 23 West Fifth St. to four units to May 29 after notice, plan concerns

The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on April 28 continued a variance petition from property owner Louis Zapater that seeks to convert a three-family building at 23 West Fifth Street into a four-family building. The board set the new hearing date for May 29, 2025.

Zapater told the board he installed sprinklers when he renovated the building as a three-family and is seeking variances for minimum lot area per dwelling unit, minimum usable open space per unit and relief from off-street parking requirements. Board staff and members said the related planning-board application had been withdrawn without prejudice because required signage had not been posted for the mandated period. Planning staff also flagged site-plan shortcomings, including missing parking dimensions and lack of detail about a tree at the rear of the lot.

Member Harvey noted the sign requirement had not been met; planning staff confirmed the sign must be posted and visible from the public way for 14 days before the hearing. Board members recommended the applicant work with staff to address planning comments and advised that the site plan used for legal notice may be the currently filed plan but that substantive revisions should be made before the continued hearing.

Member McCarthy moved to continue the matter to May 29; Member Prokop seconded. The roll call recorded approvals from Chairman Peck, Vice Chairman Callahan, Member McCarthy, Member Harvey, Member Prokop and Member Nickerson; the motion passed.

The applicant was advised to meet with staff to review the comment memo and the sign process and to revise site plans to show parking dimensions, open-space calculations, and tree treatment. The petition remains pending and will return on May 29.