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Zoning board approves variance to redraw lot lines at 133 Clark Road with conditions
Summary
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance to modify lot lines at 133 Clark Road on April 14, granting a reduced lot area for one lot with five conditions that include stormwater approval, engineering compliance, reduced impervious surface, landscaping and an easement.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on April 14 approved a lot-line adjustment and variance for property at 133 Clark Road that reduces one lot from its previously recorded 20,064 square feet to roughly 17,400 square feet to create a more rectangular, buildable parcel. The board approved the variance with five conditions addressing stormwater, engineering comments, impervious-surface reduction, landscaping and an easement for driveway access.
Attorney Catherine Flood, representing applicants Jeremy and Darlene McSorley, told the board the petition sought relief under Section 5.2.0.9 of the zoning ordinance to reduce the lot area and that the applicant previously obtained a special permit under Section 6.7.0.2 for a driveway longer than 200 feet. Flood said the plan was intended to remove an odd-shaped rear corner that was not usable and to create two rectangular parcels consistent with neighboring lots.
Engineer Matt Hammer of Lamplex Engineering and Surveying presented plans showing existing utilities and driveways in place and described proposed porous pavers and infiltration features the applicant added after meetings with the city stormwater team. “We have infiltration drainage here and we're gonna have porous pavers from everything that's extending beyond the existing paved driveway,” Hammer said, describing measures intended to address neighbor concerns about runoff.
Several abutters spoke in opposition, raising concerns about drainage, construction traffic and noise. Mark Cabral (155 Clark Road) said his property abuts the proposed new lot and that he was worried about water runoff and the large area of pavers proposed for parking. Elizabeth Mead (143 Clark Road) told the board she’d experienced prolonged construction activity related to the project’s pool work and cited safety and noise concerns; Maria Vagan (27 Tiffany Drive) described loss of sunlight and weekend noise.
Board members and staff addressed those concerns during a lengthy discussion. Members noted the stormwater team had reviewed the plans, that the applicants revised plans in response to stormwater comments and that the fire department had no objection to the driveway and access. Member McCarthy asked that the final recorded lot area be reflected on the site plan; board members calculated that moving a lot line 18 feet to square the lot would add approximately 1,320 square feet and yield a lot area in the neighborhood of 17,387–17,400 square feet.
On a motion by Member McCarthy, seconded by Member Prokop, the board approved ZBA-2025-12 with the following conditions: (1) record an easement granting access to the driveway/parking area for future owners; (2) comply with all engineering department comments; (3) obtain approval from the City Stormwater Team (including use of green stormwater infrastructure where appropriate); (4) reduce impervious surface where feasible and replace portions of impervious surface with pervious paving materials; and (5) submit a detailed landscape plan (species, quantities, locations) for DPD approval. The roll call recorded the motion as approved by Chair Peck, Vice Chair Callahan, Member McCarthy, Member Bridal, Member Prokop and Member Hovey.
The board and applicant agreed that the applicants will continue to work with DPD and the stormwater team and will provide revised, stamped plans reflecting the final lot area and the stormwater/landscaping measures before recording.
