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Zoning board conditionally approves variance to add second unit at 1210 Lonsdale Avenue
Summary
The Lincoln Zoning Board of Review on Feb. 3 approved a dimensional variance enabling an attached second unit at 1210 Lonsdale Avenue, granting 2,000 square feet of lot‑area relief on condition the applicant provides a stamped survey confirming setbacks and a RIDEM wetlands determination if required.
The Lincoln Zoning Board of Review voted unanimously Feb. 3 to grant a conditional dimensional variance for 1210 Lonsdale Avenue that will allow the applicant to build a connected second unit on a corner lot that is currently 10,000 square feet.
Chair of the board read the legal standards the panel applies to variances and said the board must be satisfied the hardship stems from the land—not from the applicant’s actions—and that approval will not alter the character of the surrounding block. The board found the property’s corner‑lot configuration and the existence of a preexisting building created a unique site constraint that supported relief, provided verification of site measurements and wetlands applicability.
Mohammed Gabriel, who identified himself as the applicant, told the board the project is a family‑focused addition so his elderly father—"he's almost like 79 years old"—can live nearby with family care. Gabriel said the new unit would be attached by an enclosed connector and that the proposal would eliminate the driveway on Lonsdale and move vehicle access to Hillside, subject to the town’s curb‑cut and public‑works approvals.
Planning staff and the building official reviewed required setbacks for corner lots (25 feet to each front, 27½ to the rear) and told the board the applicant’s sketch shows compliance with those numbers but that a stamped survey is necessary to confirm the exact measurements. The chair read the Planning Board’s Jan. 28 recommendation, which had questioned whether the connection between the two buildings would constitute a two‑family dwelling and forwarded a negative recommendation (5–0) citing concerns about compatibility; the Planning Board also urged a wetlands applicability review because Valley Falls Pond lies nearby.
Member Patai presented a motion to approve the dimensional variance, conditioned on receipt of a stamped survey confirming the site plan dimensions and on either obtaining a RIDEM freshwater wetlands permit or receiving written RIDEM confirmation that no permit is required. The motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to approve the relief with those conditions.
What happens next: The board’s approval is conditioned on the applicant providing the survey and complying with any RIDEM direction on freshwater wetlands. If those items are completed as required, the applicant may proceed with local permitting and subsequent building‑department reviews.
