Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lot Split Jackson St topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors oppose Jackson Street subdivision; ZBA record shows motion and mixed roll‑call discussion
Summary
A proposal to split 56 Jackson St. into three lots drew strong neighborhood opposition over safety, privacy and lack of demonstrated hardship. City departments flagged fire and addressing constraints; the board recorded a motion to approve as presented during the Dec. 19 meeting and closed the hearing.
Applicant counsel presented a plan to divide a deep, narrow lot at 56 Jackson St. into three parcels, arguing that the site's geometry constitutes a hardship that justifies frontage and width variances. Several neighbors, including long‑term Jackson Street residents, testified in opposition, citing increased traffic at a dangerous intersection, loss of privacy, removal of trees and a lack of demonstrated hardship. The city engineer and fire department flagged practical issues: lack of addresses for two new lots and inadequate emergency‑vehicle turning radius shown on submitted plans.
Board members debated the proposal in the context of a recent local zoning change allowing accessory units up to a size standard; some members said the lot purchase after September 2024 and the short interval to filing led them to question whether the hardship was self‑created. Petitioner counsel said prior similar relief had been granted on nearby properties in 2011.
The hearing concluded with a motion to approve the lot‑split “as presented.” The meeting record contains a roll call discussion in which several members voiced concern; the clerk recorded the final vote in the minutes. The file includes conditions the board referenced: the fire department must sign off on vehicle access and addressing before building permits are issued.
