Glenwood Avenue owner seeks parking and FAR variances after garage closure for flood protection; board requests revised drawings

Willie Zambrano asked the board for two variances at 93 Glenwood Avenue: an FAR increase to legalize a finished attic and a 4‑ft front‑yard encroachment so the homeowner can create off‑street parking after closing a garage that has chronically flooded. The application is presented as necessary to protect interior space from ongoing inundation.

Neighbors described Glenwood as a largely single‑family, green‑fronted street and objected to the proposed conversion of front yard to a parking area. Speakers said the neighborhood historically accommodates few cars on the street and that expanding visible driveway parking would change the street’s character. Several residents also noted longstanding drainage problems on the block and questioned whether eliminating the garage was the only or best mitigation for flooding.

The applicant and an adjacent neighbor explained that the property sits at a low point and is subject to runoff from higher parcels; the applicant said prior FEMA assistance had been used to renovate a flooded basement and that blocking the garage opening was a practical solution to chronic flooding. The board asked for clearer plans (existing versus proposed conditions) showing proposed setbacks, whether the driveway could be configured to provide side‑by‑side rather than tandem parking, and whether screening or a grassed buffer could be reinstated. The applicant requested an adjournment to return with revised drawings, which the board granted.

What’s next: the applicant will provide clarified drawings showing current and proposed conditions, screening plans and any alternate parking layouts; the board will consider the revised submission at a future meeting.