Cambridge zoning board approves owners’ plan to add floor and rear addition at 514 Franklin Street, 4–1

The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4–1 on Jan. 15 to grant a special permit allowing homeowners Peter and Shirley Coleman to add a floor and a three‑story rear addition at 514 Franklin Street.

Attorney James Rafferty, representing the Colemans, told the board the application seeks relief under two provisions of the zoning ordinance (cited in the record as 8.22.2(c) and 8.22.2(d)) to permit additions and openings on nonconforming walls. Rafferty said the plan — which includes lifting the house to repair failing masonry foundation and inserting a new floor above a half‑submerged basement — was reviewed by the Building Department and the Law Department before it came to the board.

"This is a case that seeks a special permit to allow for some additions to the Coleman home," Rafferty said, arguing the proposal would not be "substantially more detrimental" to the neighborhood than…