Zoning board approves subdivision at 37 Narragansett Road with exterior basement access condition
Summary
The Zoning Board approved a subdivision to create a second lot and construct a single-family home at 37 Narragansett Road, granting relief for lot size and frontage; the board conditioned approval on adding direct exterior egress to the unfinished basement storage so homeowners need not carry large items through finished living space.
The Quincy Zoning Board of Appeals on June 24 approved a subdivision and variance application that will split 37 Narragansett Road into two parcels, allow construction of a new single-family house on the created lot, and require the applicant to add direct exterior access to the basement storage of the new house.
Attorney Rob Fleming, representing applicant Anthony Scola, described the proposal as a division of an approximately 15,000-square-foot corner lot into two parcels: one fronting Narragansett Road of about 7,601 square feet to retain the existing house, and a second fronting Agawam Road of about 7,358 square feet to receive the new single-family home. “Again, my name is Rob Fleming. I’m an attorney with Fleming and Fleming. I do represent the applicant, Anthony Scola,” Fleming said.
Architect Bonnie Tam (JCBT) described the new home as a two-story single-family structure with a walkout, partially finished basement, roughly 3,400 square feet of living area, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The proposal also calls for demolishing the existing detached garage on the Agawam Road side and rebuilding a 24-by-24 two-car garage on the Narragansett-side lot.
Board members sought practical storage access for future homeowners. A board member noted that homeowners would not reasonably carry lawn equipment through finished living areas. Attorney Fleming agreed to a condition: add a direct exterior egress to the unfinished portion of the basement to provide exterior access for stored items. “We can certainly make the condition that we extend the exterior area to be able to access the unfinished basement directly from outside,” Fleming told the board.
The application requested variance relief for lot size and frontage because both proposed lots are slightly below the ordinance’s standard; the existing house also requested minimal side-setback relief. No written opposition was received and neighbors and Ward 1 Councilor Dave McCarthy spoke in favor. The motion to approve the subdivision and associated variances passed with a condition requiring direct exterior access to the basement storage area.
The board’s motion (recorded as GBA 25-21 Anthony Scola) included the condition and approval; the board will expect the revised plans reflecting the condition to be filed for the building and permit process.
