Board approves parking variance so Boys & Girls Club can use an existing 52 spaces at 231 Century Drive

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a parking variance allowing the Bristol Boys & Girls Club to operate a gymnastics program at 231 Century Drive using 52 existing parking spaces rather than the 120 spaces required under current zoning.

Attorney James Iogus, speaking for the applicant, told the board the existing building already contains 52 parking spaces and the club’s program is largely drop-off gymnastics sessions with modest staff. "To have the boys club build another 70 spaces on this site is expensive, and it provides no benefit to the program," Iogus said, arguing that constructing additional parking would reduce green space and increase impervious surface without matching programmatic need.

Jay Maya, chief executive officer of the Bristol Boys & Girls Club, described session sizes of roughly 10–12 children per session and said parents commonly drop off and pick up children. Iogus and Maya said competitions occur a few times a year and might use up to about 40 spaces, which the site could accommodate.

City planner Mr. Flanagan and several commissioners noted the hardship stems from reusing an existing industrial building and its existing parking configuration. Commissioner comments reflected comfort with the plan provided the facility’s use remains as described; the board moved and approved application 3829 to reduce the required parking from 120 to 52 spaces for the fitness/gymnastics use at 231 Century Drive.

The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes; the approval applies to the plans and documents submitted and does not alter zoning classifications for other potential uses of the site.