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Danvers ZBA continues 48 North Putnam hearing, requires stamped engineering parking plan
Summary
The ZBA continued the case for 48 North Putnam Street to Jan. 13, 2025, and directed the applicant’s engineer to coordinate with Planning Director Brian Zakeli. The board said photos showed illegal tandem parking and emphasized the need for a stamped plan showing the legally required spaces.
The Town of Danvers Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 16 continued the hearing for a requested finding at 48 North Putnam Street and instructed the applicant to provide an engineered, stamped parking plan before the board’s next meeting on Jan. 13, 2025.
Clerk Ken Scholes read Docket 24-5083, a request by Ralph G. N. Gregorio for a finding under the zoning bylaw to expand a nonconforming use so a personal training facility could occupy the remainder of the building. Gregorio told the board he had striped roughly 15 informal parking positions and added several spots to remove cars from the street, but he acknowledged he had not provided the stamped engineering plan the board previously requested.
The gym owner, identified in the record as Buccieri, said the facility’s busiest class runs 9–10 a.m. and otherwise the use brings one or two cars into the lot. "The class that you're looking at at 9AM, it's the only time of the day that I have a class that big," Buccieri said, adding tenants have reserved spots and that the busiest hour is manageable.
Board members emphasized two points: photos showing tandem or stacked parking are not legal, and the board needs an engineer-stamped plan showing the number and dimensions of legal spaces. A member noted the applicant may be exposing himself to liability if parking spaces do not meet legal dimensions. One board member, John Bownor, said he could not support the request as presented and described the site as "beyond what is called for in an R1," urging a site-wide engineered parking plan that accounts for residential units, the HVAC contractor, and the gym.
Chair Corinne Doherty told the applicant his engineer should contact Planning Director Brian Zakeli to confirm what the stamped plan must show. The board voted to continue the case to its Jan. 13, 2025 meeting and asked the applicant to return with an approved, stamped engineering plan showing legal parking configurations and the number of allowable spaces.
During the meeting a member of the public asked whether on-street spaces along the fence could be made one-hour parking; board members directed that request to the Danvers Traffic Advisory Committee (DTAC) and the Select Board as the proper route for on-street parking changes.
The continuance was recorded as Docket 24-5083; the board did not approve the requested finding at this meeting.
