ZBA approves several redevelopment and lot‑line petitions; Squanto case withdrawn, Old Colony 62‑unit continued

Quincy — The Zoning Board of Appeals on Aug. 26 heard a slate of zoning petitions and took final actions on several matters, approving multiple variances and special permits for property work across the city and continuing one major redevelopment review for further technical review.

Key outcomes at a glance

- 48 Harriet Ave. (ZBA 25‑27): The board granted a variance to allow Thomas Mannion to construct a second story, square off the front of the house and add a side deck on the premises at 48 Harriet Ave. The DPW review letter said it had no comment on the proposal. The board approved the petition by voice vote.

- 29–31 Nightingale Ave. (ZBA 25‑28): Peter Zook’s request to convey 4,500 square feet of 29–31 Nightingale Ave. to the abutting commercial property (common ownership) was allowed by the board; neighbors who spoke in the meeting described the property as already fenced and in use by the business, and DPW offered no additional comments.

- 18 Old Colony Ave. (ZBA 25‑32): Wollaston Assets LLC’s larger proposal to construct a five‑story, 62‑unit development was continued to Sept. 9 for presentation of detailed stormwater storage and release calculations by the applicant’s civil engineer (see separate story).

- 38 Old Colony Ave. (ZBA 25‑33): The board approved a revised plan from Wallaston/Nassus LLC to raise the existing structure and construct a 19‑unit residential building with 19 parking spaces. The planning board had reviewed the project and peer review engineers and DPW commented as part of that process; the applicant represented the units as condominiums and said each unit will have a deeded parking space.

- 506 South St. (ZBA 25‑34): South Street Assets LLC received approval to demolish and rebuild as a four‑story, 18‑unit residential building with 33 total parking spaces (21 garage spaces + 12 surface spaces). The board approved the petition with one explicit condition recorded by the motion: that parking be deeded to bedrooms (the motion wording used "every bedroom shall have a deeded parking space"). DPW submitted comments to the planning board and indicated their comments had been addressed.

- 211–215 C St. (ZBA 25‑35): The board allowed the applicant to demolish the former restaurant and build an 18‑unit, three‑story residential building with 41 parking spaces (18 garage + 23 surface). The decision includes an access restriction recorded in the motion: entry to the site will be by C Street and vehicles must exit via the Murphy Memorial Drive side ("entrance only" on C Street). The project underwent planning board review, peer review and DPW review.

- 148 Squanto Rd. (ZBA 25‑24): The applicant withdrew the request to reconstruct and add a three‑story rear addition; the ZBA accepted the withdrawal without prejudice.

Why it matters: Approvals and conditions on these petitions shape housing density, parking availability and local traffic patterns. Several approvals convert underutilized or deteriorated properties into new housing; at least one approval (506 South St.) included a specific deeded‑parking requirement recorded by the board to limit off‑site parking pressure.

What to watch next: The board continued the larger 18 Old Colony (62‑unit) hearing to Sept. 9 for a civil engineer’s presentation on drainage. Several successful applicants will next proceed to the building permit and site plan stages with DPW and planning board oversight where required.