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Quincy board clears demolition, approves new single‑family home at 260 Bellevue Road
Summary
After contested public comment about scale and existing site conditions, the Zoning Board approved Christopher Carroll’s plan to demolish a dilapidated house at 260 Bellevue Road and build a new single‑family residence for Finton Murtaugh with revised plans to reduce prior violations and address neighbor concerns.
The Quincy Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 18 approved a plan to demolish the deteriorated house at 260 Bellevue Road and construct a new single‑family dwelling, ending a years‑long dispute about the lot's condition.
Attorney Christopher Carroll, representing the applicant, told the board the property had fallen into disrepair after several owners and a foreclosure, and that the current owner, Finton Murtaugh, bought the lot to restore it to a single‑family home. Carroll said the proposal reflects design changes made after earlier hearings to address height, dormer and setback concerns raised by neighbors and the board.
Architect Matt Mueller walked the board through the revised plans, saying the front dormer was removed, the front was pushed out to eliminate an overhang, the rear deck was pushed back to address rear‑yard concerns, and the garage was lengthened to better accommodate a full‑size vehicle. Mueller said the gross area of the proposed house is 3,733 square feet and that the design keeps the building within local height and setback limits.
Neighbors speaking at the hearing offered mixed views. Supporters told the board the existing house had become a “blight” on the neighborhood and welcomed substantial replacement. Joseph Skorowski, who lives behind the property, said the parcel remained in poor condition and that he wanted guarantees the new owner would maintain the site. Other neighbors voiced concerns about the proposed home's scale relative to nearby houses, the condition of a longstanding on‑site septic tank, and the visual impact of raised decks.
Councilor Deborah Riley, who represents Ward 6, asked the board to consider asking the applicant to submit more modest plans; she said the project had come before the board multiple times and neighbors expected better notice of changes. The applicant and his team said they had met with neighbors and submitted letters of support to the file.
The board discussed fence and wall questions raised by neighbors; counsel indicated such property‑boundary issues could be worked out outside the hearing with the city council and counsel. The board also recommended the owner install a privacy fence along the rear of the lot to address neighbor concerns.
On a motion to allow the petition for ZBA 2544, the board approved the revised plans with a condition that the owner construct a fence across the rear to respond to neighbor requests. The vote was recorded as in favor and the motion carried.
