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Council approves special permit for 30x40 Grant Street garage with eight conditions to limit noise and commercial use
Summary
After neighbor testimony expressing concern about noise and potential commercial use, the council approved Domenico Gallinelli’s special permit for a 30x40 accessory garage on Grant Street, adopting eight conditions that restrict noise‑making tools to 9 a.m.–7 p.m., ban business and rentals, and prohibit separate electrical or public utility connections.
The Woburn City Council voted unanimously Aug. 6 to approve a special permit allowing Domenico Gallinelli to build a 30‑by‑40 detached accessory garage at Grant Street, subject to eight conditions spelled out by Councilor Viola.
Neighbor Paul Ryan, whose property abuts the proposed garage, thanked the petitioner for improvements to the site but asked for assurances limiting non‑storage uses and noisy work, particularly overnight or late‑evening impact‑wrench usage. Council members repeatedly cited the city’s existing noise and building‑code hours while negotiating a compromise of conditions with the petitioner.
Councilor Viola read the eight conditions into the record. They require an updated plot plan showing the proposed 30x40 structure; prohibit any business activity or rental of space in the garage; restrict the accessory garage to use by the single‑family dwelling resident only; bar conversion of the accessory building to separate residential use; prevent installation of a separate electrical service for the detached structure; prohibit new public water or sewer connections to the garage (any utilities must be from existing private service and permitted in accordance with state plumbing code); and limit impact‑gun usage to owner‑vehicle maintenance between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Council members noted that the proposed hours are more restrictive than the general noise ordinance and that building‑code limits also influence permissible construction hours. Several councilors said they would support stronger limits if needed, but after discussion they voted to approve the permit with the conditions. The council closed the public hearing and adopted the motion to approve on a unanimous voice vote.
The decision includes a record of the eight conditions for future enforcement and provides a path for neighbors to request review if the permit conditions are not followed.
