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Board approves two‑story rear addition at 133 Fennell St to add ground‑floor bedroom and accessible features
Summary
The Zoning Board granted a variance for a two‑story rear addition at 133 Fennell Street to create a first‑floor bedroom and bathroom for a relative with documented medical needs; neighbors and DPW submitted letters of support or no comment.
The Zoning Board granted a variance for a two‑story rear addition at 133 Fennell St (ZBA 2487) so the homeowner can add a ground‑floor bedroom and bathroom for an elderly relative with mobility issues.
Applicant Anderson Louie, who identified himself as both homeowner and attorney, told the board the proposed addition would replace an unsafe back porch and provide a first‑floor bedroom and accessible bathroom to accommodate the applicant’s mother‑in‑law, who has documented medical needs. The application file included a medical letter from a provider documenting reduced mobility and pain that limit upstairs access.
Louie described the requested relief as modest: a side setback variance reducing an existing nonconforming side setback by 0.1 feet and a small increase in FAR to 0.41 in a Residential B zone. He said the lot and structure predate current zoning and the lot remains functionally constrained.
Neighbors and the general contractor spoke in support; the city DPW submitted a review with no comments. Board members asked about bedroom count and parking; the applicant said the project will modestly increase interior living space but not substantially change on‑site parking (single‑car garage remains). After public support was recorded and no substantive objections were raised, the board voted to grant the variance.
