Plan zoning commission approves conversion of former nursing home at 108 East Lake Street to 30 apartments with staff conditions

The Town of Winchester Plan Zoning Commission on March 3 approved a site‑plan conversion allowing the former nursing home at 108 East Lake Street to be redeveloped into a 30‑unit apartment building, voting to attach several conditions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts.

The applicant proposed reusing the existing building footprint and converting it to 30 dwelling units — a mix of studios, one‑bedrooms and two‑bedrooms — with a small management office, laundry and a basement amenity area. “We’re looking to turn this into a 30‑unit apartment building in exactly the same square‑foot print it is right now,” the project presenter said during the public hearing.

Neighbors raised concerns about vehicle traffic using the Ridge Street entrance, headlight glare into adjacent yards, fence height and the lack of community notice when the nursing home closed. Resident Rosemary Nanny, who said she lives directly across the rear of the building, told the commission that neighbors had historically petitioned to limit a Ridge Street entrance and worried that regular vehicle comings and goings would change the quiet character of the street.

Staff said a recent state law requires that changes of use for multiunit buildings provide conduit for future EV charging (for the requisite share of parking) even if physical chargers are not installed immediately. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy the physical chargers and install them — it’s more about putting the conduit in for future use,” staff explained during the hearing.

The commission approved the application with the following conditions: the applicant must submit (1) a landscape plan adding screening along the Ridge Street frontage to block headlights and soften visibility, (2) cut‑sheets and details for all exterior lighting to verify full cut‑off fixtures, (3) fence‑height details and drawings that ensure effective screening where shrubbery cannot be planted, and (4) signage at driveway exits reminding tenants to be mindful of neighbors. The approval also notes that infrastructure for charging stations must be provided to the extent required by state statute.

Commissioners discussed but did not impose a requirement to remove parking spaces for snow storage; staff and the applicant agreed to work on reasonable snow‑management plans. The commission accepted staff’s suggestion that many of the technical items — fixture cut‑sheets, landscape plan and precise fence details — be submitted to and approved by the land‑use office before final permits are issued.

The public hearing was kept open briefly to allow the applicant time to file lighting and landscaping details; the commission then voted to close the public hearing and later voted to approve the application at the same meeting. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript; the approval was completed by voice vote and recorded as in favor by the chair.

The project contact indicated property management will be on site and that staff will coordinate with the police department about no‑parking signage at driveway exits to reduce safety risks. The commission set follow‑up actions for staff review of the submitted plans and final sign‑off once the required details are provided.