ZBA continues 656 C Street demolition/rebuild after resident concerns about possible two‑family layout

The Zoning Board of Appeals continued a hearing on June 10 for a variance and special permit at 656 C Street so the applicant can supply additional materials and answer neighborhood concerns.

Owner’s representative Manuel Paiva presented revised plans showing a three‑story, flood‑compliant home with a four‑stall garage at ground level and described site plan updates including a required exterior stairway for egress, widened garage doors (from 16 to 18 feet) and changes to window placements to create “shadow lines” on the C Street elevation.

Neighbors asked whether the rebuilt house would be a rental or two‑family. Owner Tuan Nguyen said the home is presented as a single‑family dwelling and the owner does not intend to rent units after construction; he said current leases on the property end in January. Several board members and residents expressed concern that the interior arrangement – including separate utility/storage spaces on both floors and two electrical panels/hot water heaters discussed by the architect – resembles a two‑family layout. One board member said the second‑floor plan “reads like a two family.”

The board requested color renderings showing four elevations (side, front, rear and one additional view) at least one week before the continued hearing. The board also asked the applicant to provide updated plans showing how proposed driveway/curb cut issues will be handled given a city moratorium on digging recently paved streets; the applicant agreed to work with existing conditions and return with revised drawings.

The board continued the case to July 22 and required color elevation drawings to be provided at least one week before that date. No final vote was taken; the matter remains under review.

The continuance was recorded on the meeting record as ZBA 25‑11 (656 C Street).