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Zoning board approves variance to split lot and build at 14 John Dark Street
Summary
The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing 3 Bridge Development, Inc. to split a 17,835 sq ft lot at 14 John Dark Street into two lots and build a new single-family home on Lot 1, adopting planning and engineering conditions and limiting exposed foundation to 3 feet.
The Lowell City Zoning Board of Appeals on May 28 approved a variance that lets 3 Bridge Development, Inc., split 14 John Dark Street and build a new single-family house on the newly created lot.
Attorney John Geary of Geary & Geary LLP, representing the applicant, told the board the existing 17,835-square-foot parcel would be divided into Lot 1 (7,414 sq ft) and Lot 2 (10,421 sq ft), with a proposed three-bedroom, two-bath home of about 1,600 square feet on Lot 1. Geary said the project requires relief from section 5.1 of the Lowell zoning ordinance to exceed the district’s 25-foot maximum front-yard setback; the plan proposes a 54-foot setback to align the house with the existing streetscape.
“The lot is otherwise dimensionally compliant,” Geary said, and he asked the board to incorporate four conditions the planning board attached when it approved a related special permit: an as-built stamped drainage plan after construction, a stormwater permit from the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, a six-foot white vinyl fence along the northerly property line, and two shade trees planted on Lot 2.
Engineer Matt Hammer of Linplex Engineering reviewed the site plan and drainage measures, describing a driveway to accommodate two vehicles, a subsurface infiltration system, and a trench to handle driveway runoff; he said existing vegetation along the common lot line will remain where possible.
Board members asked for and received a commitment that the applicant would limit exposed foundation to no more than three feet on side and rear elevations. Member McCarthy moved to approve ZBA-2026-19 with the planning-board and engineering conditions and the three-foot exposed-foundation condition; Vice Chair Callahan seconded. On roll call the motion carried with six votes in favor and one member absent.
The board’s approval is conditioned on the listed planning-board requirements and the engineering memo noted in the staff comments; the applicant is required to secure any necessary stormwater permits before construction proceeds. The board closed the public hearing and approved the variance with the stated conditions.
