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Quincy Zoning Board approves porch enclosure at 42 Elm; continues several petitions and accepts a withdrawal
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Quincy Zoning Board allowed a finding to enclose a covered front porch at 42 Elm Ave, continued three petitions for revised plans to Feb. 24, and accepted withdrawal of a variance request for a bathroom in an outbuilding at 94 Cliff Street.
The Quincy Zoning Board on Jan. 13 voted to allow a finding to enclose an existing covered front porch at 42 Elm Avenue and handled a series of petitions that were continued or withdrawn.
Jim Chen appeared for the owner of 42 Elm, described the porch as a covered, unheated space of about 140 square feet and said the front yard setback is 16.8 feet where 25 feet is required. No members of the public opposed the request, and the board moved to allow the finding.
The board also heard a proposal for 35 Dayton Street to add a full story to a 1½‑story house, creating a 2½‑story dwelling and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) of roughly 850 square feet above the garage. Architect Jim Chen told the board the lot’s front setback is 17.6 feet and the property has a roughly 4,957‑square‑foot lot in a residential zoning district. Board members voiced concerns about the number of bedrooms shown on the current plans, tandem parking operation and the proposed ADU. The petitioner was asked to revise plans to reduce bedrooms or remove the ADU; the board continued the petition to 02/24/2026 at 6:00 p.m.
At 94 Cliff Street, homeowner Heather Monte requested variance relief to allow a finished accessory outbuilding to include a roughly 58‑square‑foot bathroom so the structure could function as a self‑contained home office; she said there would be no exterior changes and that she presented 23 neighbor signatures in support. Several board members, including the chair, expressed concern that granting such a variance would create a city‑wide precedent that could enable illegal conversions of garages and outbuildings. After discussion, Monte withdrew the application: "I think, I'll withdraw the proposal," she said.
The board also considered a subdivision and new home at 14 Albion Road. Trim Wing (JCBT architect) described reestablishing two original lots and constructing a 2½‑story single‑family dwelling on one parcel; the proposal requested variances for lot size, width, frontage and side yard setback. Neighbors and board members extensively questioned driveway layouts, turning radius and how removal of a deteriorated garage would affect parking; the board continued that petition to 02/24/2026 to allow revised plans.
All continuances were scheduled for the Feb. 24 meeting, and the board closed the session after completing the evening’s items.
What happens next: ZBA 25‑55 (35 Dayton Street) and A2563 (14 Albion Road) return to the Feb. 24 agenda with revised plans; CBA2561 (94 Cliff Street) was withdrawn by the applicant.
