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Zoning board denies dormer as presented at 119 Manadav; porch discussion continued
Summary
The board denied the proposed front dormers at 119 Manadav (ZBA 2613), citing neighborhood objections that the dormers would create a third-story appearance and raise safety and precedent concerns; the board continued consideration of a second-floor porch to June 9.
The Quincy City Zoning Board on May 26 denied the dormer relief requested in ZBA 2613 for 119 Manadav, while allowing the applicant to return on June 9 to pursue review limited to a proposed second-floor porch.
Applicant Hillary Crawford told the board the dormers and modest deck would create space for her father and keep the property single-family in character without raising the roof line. "We're trying to remain harmonious with the character of the neighborhood," she said. She and her architect described alternatives, including smaller dormers or reconfiguring stair footprints.
Many neighbors strongly objected. Morris Hancock, whose property adjoins the applicant’s, said the proposed dormers made the house look like a three-story structure and worried about blocked views and neighborhood character. Other residents raised public-safety concerns: Allison McCarthy and Jim McCathi said adding livable space on a third floor could complicate emergency access and be inappropriate for an in‑law bedroom without a bathroom.
Ward 1 City Councilor David Jacobs said he shared residents’ skepticism about a third floor and opposed the design as presented. The board cited precedent concerns and public-safety and view impacts when it voted to deny the dormer relief as submitted. The board did not deny the applicant the opportunity to proceed with a porch design; it continued review of the porch only to the June 9 meeting and asked the applicant to submit porch drawings in advance.
What happens next: The dormer relief was denied as presented. The applicant may return on June 9 with porch drawings limited to the roof/deck change the board agreed to consider.
