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Quincy ZBA requires permeable pavers to replace impervious asphalt at 18 Bayswater Road
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance for pavement coverage at 18 Bayswater Road on condition the existing impervious asphalt be removed and replaced with permeable pavers; tenants asked for a temporary delay citing medical and winter concerns.
The Quincy Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 7 approved a variance for pavement coverage at 18 Bayswater Road on the condition that the currently installed impervious asphalt be removed and replaced completely with permeable pavers.
The board’s decision followed testimony from Kimberly Rodriguez, who represented Ronan Totti, a beneficiary of the trust that owns the property. Rodriguez acknowledged that the asphalt installed at the site is not pervious and described discussions about remediation and setback compliance.
Rodriguez told the board she visited the property after a prior hearing and said a third-party inspection confirmed the pavement is not pervious. “It is not pervious asphalt,” Rodriguez said. She noted the site’s topography channels water onto the parcel and said one remediation option discussed was removing pavement within three feet of the property line to allow surface absorption. Rodriguez also described efforts to obtain an official yard designation from the building department to determine front-yard coverage and said the added parking represents about 7.9% of the lot if only the small new corner is counted, or 17% if both paved areas are included.
Board members pressed for a full replacement with permeable materials. Chairman Marty Akins said the asphalt “has to be ripped out as far as I’m concerned, and I want pavers in there.” Other board members echoed that position, citing concerns about runoff and neighborhood safety.
Tenants at the property asked the board to consider a short delay of any required removal. Tenant George Holland said the household includes members with medical needs who use a camper van and that work this winter would be disruptive: “We would request, if at all possible, that you all give some consideration to that since we’re already living in the house.” The board and Ward 1 councilor Dave McCarthy acknowledged neighborhood water-management concerns but did not make a formal exception for the tenants’ request.
Ward 1 Councilor Dave McCarthy spoke in favor of permeable surfacing and noted Bayswater’s low topography and existing water issues. McCarthy said creating off-street parking in nearby areas and replacing the asphalt with pervious material would benefit the neighborhood.
Motion and outcome: The board voted to allow the variance with the proviso that the currently installed asphalt be replaced completely with permeable pavers. The motion to allow the variance was moved on the record as "ZBA 25-30 Ward 1, Kimberly Rodriguez for variance to exceed pavement parameters on the premises number 18 Bayswater Road, Quincy, Mass. Move to allow the variance with the proviso that currently installed asphalt be replaced completely with permeable pavers." The motion was seconded and carried; the chair declared the motion passed.
The board’s order requires removal of the impervious material and installation of pervious paving; the motion did not specify a phased schedule or a temporary delay for tenants. The board advised affected parties to coordinate with the building department for implementation details.
Votes at a glance: Motion passed (all in favor; no opposition recorded).
