Chelsea zoning board approves variance for two-unit building at 73 Library Street

The Chelsea Zoning Board voted 4–1 to grant variances for a proposed two‑unit rental building at 73 Library Street, allowing construction on a preexisting lot that does not meet current minimum lot‑area and setback requirements.

Attorney Richard Linds, representing property owner David Bennett, told the board the existing lot is about 2,900 square feet and the project would create two bilevel rental units, each shown as four‑bedroom units with two bathrooms. Linds said the proposal meets rear and side setbacks, lot coverage and height limits but requires relief for minimum lot area, additional lot area per dwelling unit and a front‑yard variance for exterior stairs that encroach into the setback. He also said the design team offered either no on‑site parking or an alternative scheme with two parking spaces.

The board’s discussion centered on the project’s scale relative to the neighborhood, on‑site parking and how much relief could appropriately be granted under the variance standards. John (Planning Department) told the board the planning department recommended approval but urged the board to require off‑street parking because the nearby street is tight for parking. Board members raised concerns about four‑bedroom units on a small lot and about whether open space or off‑street parking would better serve families.

John described the board’s potential conditions during the hearing, urging the applicant to submit a landscaping plan, drainage plan and design review drawings and to address comments from the fire department and public works. He listed other recommended conditions including use of permeable paving where appropriate, a solid opaque fence along side lot lines, and a restriction governing rental terms: “No rental or sublease less than 12 months” (as presented by John during the hearing).

After discussion, a motion to approve case number 2024‑22373 (73 Library Street, David Bennett) passed. The motion as stated in the record approved the special permit/variance “with the proposed conditions as articulated” by the planning staff; it was seconded by board member Joe and carried by a vote of four in favor, one opposed. Counsel for the applicant was asked to provide written justification for the variances for the board’s file; Richard Linds agreed to email it to the board.

The board and planning staff also discussed the mechanics of adding parking if the applicant chooses to move the building forward under the zoning provision that allows using the average setback of adjacent buildings. John said shifting the building could allow at least two parking spaces in the rear without creating parking within five feet of the building, but he also warned that adding parking could trigger additional notice if it required relief beyond the items formally advertised for the hearing.

The board’s approval incorporated the conditions discussed on the record: design review; landscaping and drainage plans; use of permeable materials where required; compliance with fire and public‑works comments; submittal of engineering showing any average‑setback adjustment; a side‑lot fence; and the stated rental/sublease term restriction. The record shows the board explicitly recommended the applicant consider parking in the rear “at least 2 spaces” where feasible, and instructed staff to verify any plan adjustments.

The applicant plans to proceed under the variances granted and will supply the written variance justifications requested by the board.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve case 2024‑22373 (73 Library Street, David Bennett) — mover not specified on the record; seconded by Joe; vote 4 yes, 1 no; outcome: approved with conditions (conditions summarized above).