Board approves Coastal Dental Arts plan at 532 Lowell St.; parking relief granted

The Peabody Board of Appeals on Dec. 15 approved a variance for Coastal Dental Arts (Dr. Peter Brazza) to demolish the existing building at 532 Lowell Street and construct a two‑story dental office, granting relief on parking and yard setbacks.

Christopher Mello of Eastern Land Survey presented the plan and explained the site constraints arising from historic Commonwealth takings and nearby interstate infrastructure; the applicant sought relief to provide 15 parking spaces where the zoning ordinance requires 37 but noted 22 on‑site spaces could be used though some are on legacy slivers of Old Lowell Street. "The parking relief we're looking for is down to 15 spaces, but we actually have 22 spaces proposed on‑site," Mello said.

Board members raised questions about a two‑foot side yard adjacent to an elevated I‑95 and a proposed bike path. In response, Mello said the bike path construction is on Commonwealth land (not the applicant's property) and that the building would be fully sprinklered; he cited prior coordination to ensure no takings from the property would negate permits. The board closed the public hearing and moved to approve; in a roll‑call vote (Mister O'Brien, Mister Gilbert, Mister Bakula, Mister Osborne, Miss Golucci), the motion passed and the chair announced the application was approved.

Supporters included City Councilor Dave Gamache, who said the project would be a betterment to the area and likely generate less traffic than the prior sandwich shop that occupied the site. The board recorded the approval and advised parties on next steps for filing and permitting.