Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board denies proposal to convert 69 West End Ave into six apartments
Summary
The Somerville Planning Board voted to deny Princeton Canal LLC’s application to convert 69 West End Ave into six residential units, citing concerns over intensity, one-bedroom sizes below the board’s minimums, and impacts on neighboring properties; the applicant had argued the conversion met local housing demand and reduced peak-hour trips compared with prior office use.
The Somerville Planning Board voted to deny Princeton Canal LLC’s application (2025009Z) to convert the long-vacant office at 69 West End Avenue into six residential units, after several board members said the proposal was too intense for the lot and that some one-bedroom units appeared to be below the board’s stated minimum size.
Applicant representative Michael Grodnick summarized the project during closing remarks, saying the owner revised an original eight-unit plan down to six units to address earlier feedback and that experts had testified the six-unit residential use would generate fewer peak-hour trips than the prior professional office use. "So we're asking that the board consider this to be a positive rehabilitation ... and we respectfully request that the board grant the use in bulk variances and major site plan approval," Grodnick said.
The project included architectural changes, an enclosed front porch that added about 1,193 square feet of living area, accessible ramps and an additional handicapped-accessible stall. The applicant said parking would significantly exceed RSIS requirements for the proposed 1- and 2-bedroom units and that density had been reduced from roughly 24.2 units per acre to about 18.2 units per acre — a roughly 25% decrease from the original plan.
Board members who opposed the application said the changes did not resolve concerns about overall intensity and unit sizes. "I actually think it's a a good use of the ... vacant property," said Committee member Eric Alvarez, who also acknowledged the neighborhood's need for housing. Other members disagreed. One member raised the board’s minimum standard for a one-bedroom — 800 square feet — and said the proposed units appeared to be in the low 700s: "That's no space at all," the member said, urging that the board should not approve units that fall well below its size standard.
Members also questioned the amount of green space and the parking configuration. A board member said the parking lot could be redesigned to reduce glare and provide better buffering for Caymen Place neighbors; another said fewer units would allow more outdoor space for residents. Several members urged that a reduction in unit count could make the project less intense and better fit the POR zone’s evolving residential character.
After discussion the board placed a motion to deny the application, held a roll-call vote and, following a clarification that voting 'yes' in their record would mean support for denial, the chairman announced the motion to deny carried. The transcript does not include a complete, unambiguous roll-call tally by named member; the chair announced the denial as the formal outcome.
The applicant's representative thanked the board for its time. The board did not adopt an alternate approval or condition the application; the denial closes this application unless the applicant pursues reapplication or an administrative appeal.
The meeting also addressed other agenda items before adjournment, including a separate resolution and a scheduling request for a PSE&G hearing.
