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Zoning board approves FAR variance at 119 Foster Street for addition to house
Summary
The City of Lowe's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing an expanded addition at 119 Foster Street that increases the propertyFAR, with conditions requiring a certified site plan and corrected FAR numbers.
The City of Lowe's Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 27 approved a variance for 119 Foster Street to exceed the maximum floor-area ratio (FAR) in the Traditional Single Family (TSF) district, subject to two conditions including submission of a certified site plan showing existing and proposed FAR.
Applicant Seated (Savi) Heng told the board she revised plans with her surveyor and architect and circulated a petition of abutters who supported the work, saying the project was reduced in size from an earlier submission. Attorney Michael Wiggins spoke for abutter Beverly Booth, opposing the request and saying the two-story addition would extend about 18 feet beyond the rear plane and could crowd Booth—s backyard and reduce southern light.
Board members debated the impact, noting the applicant had reduced the depth of the addition, removed a large deck and decreased the projection from 22 to 18 feet. Members said they were sympathetic to the applicant—s desire for multigenerational living but worried about the degree of FAR relief. Several members asked staff to correct inconsistent FAR numbers on the submitted site plan; members also asked that the certified site plan include both existing and proposed FAR values.
Motion and vote: Member Dennis McCarthy moved to approve ZBA-2024-42 with the conditions discussed (updated site plan showing existing and proposed FAR and submission of the certified site plan). The motion was seconded by the vice chair. Roll call recorded unanimous approval by the attending members.
The board—s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the addition under the conditions listed by the board; the applicant agreed to submit the updated documents.
