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BZA approves small entry canopy at 18–20 Farwell Place after Historic Commission review
Summary
The board unanimously granted a special permit and related dimensional relief for a modest covered entry at 18–20 Farwell Place; the Cambridge Historic Commission issued a certificate of appropriateness conditioned on staff review of materials.
The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 27 granted the owner of 18–20 Farwell Place a special permit and dimensional relief to install a small covered entry over a side door on the duplex, voting unanimously in favor.
Architect David Tory described the proposal as a modest pediment‑style canopy approximately seven feet wide with a shallow roof and gutter to cover the side entry. The applicant said the house is an older side‑entry colonial that predates current zoning and that the adjacent unit already has a similar covered entry. The Cambridge Historic Commission issued a certificate of appropriateness on Feb. 26, 2025, conditioned on CHC staff review of materials and construction details; the CHC certificate includes a six‑month commencement requirement.
Letters supporting the application are in the file, including statements from nearby neighbors Elizabeth Barthelet (10 Farwell), Jose Mora (22–24 Farwell) and Bob McGinn (14–16 Farwell). No letters in opposition were submitted.
On motion, the board granted relief from the dimensional table and nonconforming‑structure provisions and issued a special permit under Section 10.4, conditioned on construction that conforms to the submitted drawings prepared by Tory Architecture and dated 08/2024 and 06/28/24. The board incorporated the supporting statements and dimensional forms submitted with the application.
Votes: unanimous (5–0) in favor. The petitioner may proceed after satisfying CHC staff conditions and securing any required permits from ISD.
