Planning board continues major site plan for 123 Washington Ave after debate over retail, unit sizes and parking

The Chelsea Planning Board continued its review of a major site plan for 123 Washington Avenue after receiving extensive feedback from board members and public commenters and after the petitioner agreed to rework the unit mix and streetscape design.

Anthony Rossi, speaking for the petitioner, described plans to convert a former funeral home into a mixed building with one retail space and nine residential units (including several three‑bedroom units the team says are sized to encourage family housing). The team reported 11 off‑street pocket parking spaces and said aesthetics would include bay windows and Juliet balconies.

Board members raised multiple concerns: several called the proposed one‑bedroom and studio units very small (units as small as 540 sq ft were discussed), others questioned whether retail at grade would be marketable and whether the ground floor should instead provide larger residential units and more parking. The petitioner offered several design options, including converting one or both retail spaces into larger 3‑bed units and carrying bay window architectural language down to the ground level so the façade better matches the neighborhood.

After discussion the petitioner asked for a continuance to return with revised plans (larger unit options, revised retail footprint, dimensional room layouts and clearer closet and window placements). The board voted aye to continue the major site plan review to a subsequent meeting and instructed the petitioner to coordinate with the historical commission and the Department of Permitting and Land Use Planning.