Planning Board approves 7‑story, 29‑unit development on Jefferson Street

The Planning Board approved a 7‑story residential building at 2032 Jefferson Street after hearing staff and applicant presentations and receiving public comment from an adjacent resident.

Adrian Carrillo, principal planner, summarized the application (file 23DPV72), which proposes an 86‑foot, seven‑story building with 29 residential units in the DH‑3 Dixie Highway high‑intensity zoning district. The applicant proposes parking on two floors with mechanical lifts and a total of 48 parking spaces, exceeding the code minimum of 40 spaces for the project as proposed.

Architect Louis LaRosa said the design was set back slightly from property lines to accommodate landscaping and fire egress; because of that choice, the team requested relief from a separate provision that bars concrete pathways within 3 feet of the side lot line. LaRosa noted they preferred stone pavers and other treatments and said fire marshal access requirements had been coordinated.

Neighbor Sylvie Marino spoke during public comment to express concerns about loss of trees, staging and parking during construction, and proximity of the new building. The applicant and staff clarified that the requested paved access was on the applicant’s property and would not encroach on adjacent private property; they also said they would work with the city engineer and contractor to mitigate staging and parking impacts during construction.

After discussion the board voted to approve the variance for the paved exit/side path, design approval and the site plan. Members asked staff and the applicant to coordinate construction staging and parking management plans as part of permitting.

Outcome: Variance and site plan approved; applicant to coordinate staging plans with city staff as part of the permitting process.