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Lowell ZBA approves two‑lot subdivision at 202 Barker Ave with engineering conditions
Summary
The board approved variances to split 202 Barker Ave into two lots and build a modest single‑family home, citing reduced impervious area and net gain of trees; approval is conditioned on 14 engineering comments.
On Feb. 9 the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals approved variances to allow the division of 202 Barker Avenue into two lots and construction of a new single‑family home on the newly created lot, subject to engineering department conditions.
Attorney John Gere of Gere & Gere LLP and engineer Matt Hammer described the proposal: the existing 11,068‑square‑foot parcel would be split into Lot 1 (6,842 sq ft) and Lot 2 (4,226 sq ft), with the applicant proposing to remove two detached garages, provide off‑street parking for both dwellings and reduce impervious surface by about 1,500 square feet (roughly 29 percent). Gere told the board the proposal is consistent with nearby lot sizes and neighborhood character and noted the planning board earlier denied a special permit for reduced frontage by a 3–2 vote, which prompted them to seek relief before the ZBA.
Members raised technical questions about tree identification and stormwater connections; Hammer said the plans identify existing trees and include drainage and parking design. Member McCarthy suggested and the applicant agreed to make the 14 engineering comments a condition of approval.
Board members described the proposal as modest and neighborhood‑compatible. Member Prokop said the project “makes sense” and noted it conserves green space; Member Callahan said restoring and improving a currently “unsightly” corner lot would benefit the neighborhood and city tax roll. The board voted on a motion to grant variances for minimum lot area, lot area per dwelling, frontage, usable open space and FAR for the relevant lots, conditioning approval on adoption of the engineering department’s comments. The motion passed on roll call with all members voting in favor.
The approval requires the applicant to meet the engineering department’s 14 conditions before permits are finalized, including sewer and water connection details and confirmation of tree removals and plantings.
Next steps: the applicant may return to the planning board for definitive subdivision approval and must satisfy the engineering conditions as part of final permitting.
