BZA approves garage for 50–52 Washburn Ave condominium; board recommends level‑2 EV charging

The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 27 granted a variance allowing owners of Units 50 and 52 at 50–52 Washburn Ave to build a two‑car garage on existing parking spaces, approving the request 4–1.

Applicants Asha Jane and Jerome Kimbrough told the board the building currently has four outdoor parking spaces, two per unit, and proposed enclosing one space to create a two‑car garage for additional storage and weather‑protected electric‑vehicle charging. They said outdoor charging has posed problems in winter—freezing of plugs and range loss—and that running conduit to a compliant location near the house would be costly. The applicants said electricians had quoted roughly $20,000 to route service to some locations shown in the record.

Multiple letters in the file endorsed the proposal. Neighbors submitted letters…