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Zoning board approves driveway extension at 85–87 South St.; owner fined for starting work before permit
Summary
Victor Aquino sought and received a variance to extend a driveway at 85–87 South Street. He had the asphalt work done before obtaining the zoning relief and was fined; the board approved the variance and discussed but did not formally rescind the fine at the meeting.
Victor Aquino appeared before the Quincy Zoning Board Dec. 10 seeking a variance to formalize an existing driveway extension he had installed at 85–87 South Street. Aquino said the family’s four-car household and narrowed existing driveway made the additional paved space necessary for daily use and that a contractor completed a roughly 12-by-20-foot asphalt extension at the front of the parcel.
Aquino told the board he had applied for a permit online but that the application remained a draft and the contractor proceeded; he said the inspector issued a fine of $100 that he was holding pending the board’s decision. "I was fined for it... I actually had to check. He said hold on to it till after this," Aquino said.
Why it matters: South Street is a no-parking street and on-street parking pressure was cited by the applicant as the reason for a small front-yard driveway extension. The work altered the front-yard surface and therefore required zoning relief.
Department comment and enforcement: DPW reported no zoning comments. The building department issued the cease-and-desist and a fine; the applicant said he had the check available and that the contractor offered to waive the fine if the variance was granted. Board members discussed waiving the administrative fine but said they did not have authority to unilaterally dismiss an ISD citation; the chair said he would recommend waiving it to enforcement staff but made no formal order.
Board action: The board approved the variance (case ZBA 2475) by voice vote. The chair explained an appeal period exists and that the work already completed remains subject to any appeal process; he advised the applicant to ensure all other permits and any required curb, drainage or sidewalk work be completed per municipal requirements.
Next steps: The owner was urged to keep documentation on file, work with ISD for any remaining permit tasks, and be aware of the 20-day appeal period for the variance decision.
