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Board continues 80 Independence Avenue townhouse conversion after public comment and technical questions
Summary
A public hearing on a proposal to convert a vacant warehouse at 80 Independence Avenue into four townhouse condominiums with 12 parking spaces was continued to Oct. 15 after residents raised traffic, sight-line, landscaping and construction concerns.
The Quincy Planning Board continued the public hearing for the 80 Independence Avenue project on Aug. 6 to Oct. 15 after the applicant presented plans and neighbors raised questions about sight lines, parking, construction staging and rodent control.
Applicant presentation
Attorney Patrick Foley represented the applicant, accompanied by architect Brian Saluti and civil engineer Jed Hannon. The proposal would demolish the existing vacant warehouse on an 8,238-square-foot lot and replace it with four three-story townhouse-style condominium units, each with a two-car garage; the design includes four guest parking spaces at the rear for a total of 12 parking spaces.
Architect Brian Saluti said each townhome would measure roughly 2,900 square feet gross, with living areas on the second floor and bedrooms on the third. Exterior materials were described as hardy-plank siding with PVC trim and traditional double-hung windows; the building height was cited at about 36 feet to match adjacent properties. Saluti noted the proposed footprint is smaller than the existing building, allowing green space at the rear.
Civil engineer Jed Hannon said proposed lot coverage would fall to about 74.3% from an existing 92%, and that stormwater management measures and recharge features are included in the hydrogeologic report submitted to the city; he said the design complies with DEP best-management practices for pre- and post-construction runoff.
Public comments and concerns
Multiple abutters and nearby residents spoke at the hearing. Concerns included:
- Backing and sight-line safety for garage egress onto Parsons Street, where drivers currently use angled parking and the right-of-way is narrow. - The appearance of the front utility/sprinkler-room doors on Independence Avenue and requests to improve the façade treatment. - Rodent control during demolition and construction and requirements for ongoing pest management. - Landscape maintenance and how frequently landscaping would be serviced once condominium homeowners' association (HOA) responsibility begins. - Construction logistics, including staging, noise, and whether the city would require police detail for deliveries.
Applicant and owner responses
Owners and the applicant said the units will be owner-occupied condominiums and the condo documents will address occupancy requirements; they said trash will be stored in each garage and using standard city pickup. The owner/developer stated that some current informal angled parking in the right-of-way predates the current ownership and that site conditions should improve compared with prior truck and storage uses. The development team agreed to review façade treatments for the front sprinkler room doors and to address sight-line and sidewalk restoration issues in coordination with city departments.
Board action
After discussion, the board agreed to continue the public hearing to Oct. 15 to allow the applicant to return with revisions addressing sight lines, façade treatments and outstanding civil and right-of-way questions. A motion to continue was made, seconded and carried.
What to expect next
The applicant will coordinate with Planning, DPW and abutters on right-of-way and parking clarifications, provide revised drawings addressing sight lines and front-door treatment, and return to the board on Oct. 15.
