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Zoning board continues plan to convert historic house at 78-84 Washington Ave; board raises safety and parking concerns
Summary
The board continued CJA Ventures’ application to convert an 1860s house into a three-family residence, asking the applicant to revisit driveway configuration and parking arrangements and to coordinate with Visions Credit Union and the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Westwood Zoning Board on March 2 continued a hearing on CJA Ventures LLC’s proposal to subdivide and convert an 1860s house at 78–84 Washington Avenue into a three-family residence.
Architect Vincent J. Cioffi described a multi-revision plan that would restore the historic house and create three residential units. Board members questioned whether the proposed subdivision and two adjacent driveways create unsafe circulation and suggested alternatives such as reducing the proposal to a two-family dwelling, consolidating parking, or securing a parking easement from the neighboring Visions Credit Union rather than separate driveways.
Lisa Darling, counsel for the credit union, said the bank preferred to keep the properties separate and therefore was reluctant to grant an easement. The board noted the stormwater management system lies near the proposed driveway area and asked that the applicant return with revised plans and comments from the Historic Preservation Commission. The matter was carried to April 6, 2026 for further review; no vote was taken.
The application is listed as ZB-25-0110; the board asked the applicant to submit alternate configurations addressing driveway spacing, parking circulation and stormwater impacts before the April 6 hearing.
