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Quincy ZBA approves underground 25x25 basketball court at 108 Albatross Road with pre-construction filming condition
Summary
The Zoning Board approved a variance to expand a basement for a 25-by-25-foot indoor basketball court at 108 Albatross Road, conditioned on pre-construction filming of the neighboring foundation at 100 Albatross Road and subject to DPW and engineering review.
The Quincy City Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 25 approved a petition (ZBA 25-5) to expand an existing basement at 108 Albatross Road to create a 25-foot by 25-foot enclosed half-court basketball facility, subject to a pre-construction condition and departmental review.
Manuel Piva, who identified himself as representing the homeowner Long Van, told the board the work would extend the basement 625 square feet to the west beneath an existing patio and would not alter the home’s above-grade architecture. Piva said the courtyard area would be excavated, a foundation installed, and a precast concrete slab used to support the deck above. He described a second means of egress and said the structure would be waterproofed with a French drain because the updated flood line lies at the property edge.
The Department of Public Works submitted a written review with 12 items asking for details on impervious-area changes, utility and grading plans, surface-runoff treatment and discharge, construction dewatering and ground-movement controls, stockpile and staging locations, professional-engineer–signed excavation support, and as-built plans at project completion. The transcript records DPW asking for consolidation of parcels for development and for construction measures to protect abutting properties.
Neighbors and at least one councilor commented during the hearing. Councilor Dave McCarthy said he had not heard neighbors object and warned about large homes on small lots; neighbor Sean Ryan (100 Albatross Road) asked that engineering plans be reviewed to ensure no damage to his home. Multiple board members said they were comfortable approving the petition if the city’s engineering and DPW oversight remained in place.
Board member Mr. Cameron moved to approve the variance with the express condition that filming of the neighboring foundation at 100 Albatross Road be completed prior to commencement of excavation; Vice Chairman Mr. Chin seconded the motion. The board voted “Aye” unanimously. The approved motion also incorporated the expectation that DPW and Inspectional Services will review engineering, means-and-methods, and dewatering plans during the building-permit process.
No weight limits or construction sequencing were recorded in the board’s approval; the DPW review letter lists the specific technical requirements to be addressed during the permit stage.
