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Zoning board continues hearing on 73 Inland Street porch enclosure to April 28
Summary
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals continued a variance request to enclose the front porch at 73 Inland Street to April 28 after finding submitted drawings and permit evidence incomplete and asking the applicant to coordinate with the Department of Planning and Development and the building department.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals continued on April 14 a variance petition for a porch enclosure at 73 Inland Street, setting a new public hearing for April 28, 2025.
Board members said the application lacked the documentation they had requested after a prior hearing and that the building commissioner had raised concerns about unpermitted work on the property. The petition seeks relief under Section 5.1 of the zoning ordinance for floor-area, front-yard setback and related standards to enclose the existing front porch.
Applicant Vinar told the board, “My name is Vinar. And I, I have all the paperwork that you guys asked for. I pulled, I pulled the electrical permit like you asked for.” He said electrical work and mini-split installation were in progress and that city inspectors had not yet completed on-site inspections.
Member McCarthy and other board members said the board had no evidence the building department had inspected the previously executed work and that several required items — a stamped, scaled elevation drawing, a site plan that shows the proposed stair configuration and a clear layout of how the porch enclosure will fit relative to the Inland Street right-of-way — had not been filed in time for the meeting. “This needs to be a drawing to scale that shows the intent of the construction,” Member McCarthy said, adding that the sketch submitted was “not to scale” and “not complete.”
DPD staff (Peter) agreed to contact the applicant to confirm exactly what must be submitted and reminded the applicant that materials for the board must be in the Department of Planning and Development’s hands by the Thursday before the hearing so members have time to review them.
On a motion by Member McCarthy, seconded by Member Prokop, the board voted to continue the matter to the April 28, 2025 public hearing. The roll call record shows Chair Peck, Vice Chair Callahan, Member McCarthy, Member Bridal, Member Prokop and Member Hovey voting to approve the continuance.
The board asked the applicant to coordinate with the building commissioner (Commissioner Fuller) to confirm outstanding permit and inspection items before the next hearing and to provide a stamped, scaled site plan and elevation that clearly indicate stairs, landings and how the enclosure will affect the right-of-way.
