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ZBA allows rebuild at 55 Sterling Street but denies curb cut and asks applicant to tone down green
Summary
The board approved a variance to demolish and rebuild 55 Sterling Street as a single‑family home, conditioned on a reduced shade of green for the garage doors and denial of a curb cut because of a city moratorium.
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted to allow the petition to demolish and replace the house at 55 Sterling Street, subject to two conditions: the applicant must reduce the proposed shade of green on the garage doors, and the board denied a requested curb cut because the street is under a five‑year moratorium on new digs.
Kevin Poseley, speaking for applicant Alicia Wen, said the project replaces an aging, century‑old foundation with a slightly larger, accessible single‑family residence that will allow the owner’s parents to age in place. Architect Artan Sadiqwa described the proposed exterior as fiber‑cement siding with a light‑green and off‑white scheme and said the team planned a rainscreen installation with an air gap to avoid water infiltration problems some commenters raised.
Department of Public Works provided written comments that the applicant must address: quantify increased impervious area, show existing site conditions and utilities, explain runoff discharge and treatment, and submit as‑built plans upon completion. DPW also reiterated the five‑year moratorium on digging for the recently repaved Sterling and Versailles streets; the board denied the curb‑cut request on that basis.
Neighbors spoke at the hearing expressing concern about the new house’s size, appearance and compatibility with the streetscape. The board’s final motion allowed the petition while recording the two conditions: reduce the intensity of the proposed green and deny the curb cut due to the moratorium. The motion passed on a voice vote.
