Quincy zoning board allows basement finish at 135 Sumner St., applicant cites HOA approval

The Quincy City Zoning Board on June 9 approved ZBA 2616, allowing the owner of Unit 6 at 135 Sumner Street to finish the previously unfinished basement to create additional living space. The applicant identified himself as Eric Shao and told the board the finished basement would be used as “a play area for my 2 young children, include a gym, a storage space, and a half bathroom.”

Board members questioned how occupants would access the basement and whether there was required egress. The applicant said access is from the main living room and that there is an egress window on the side of the unit: “So right before the garage, there's a staircase down... there is an egress window, on the side.” The board also asked about parking and whether spaces were deeded to the unit; the applicant said he believed seven parking spaces were assigned to the unit: “1 is in a garage, 1 is in a carport, and then there's 5, right on the pavement.”

The applicant told the board he had checked the condominium association’s bylaws and said he had received verbal and written HOA approval for the interior modifications pending the board’s approval. The record shows a DPW (Department of Public Works) review letter had no comments on the project.

After no opposition was raised and with DPW offering no comment, a motion to allow the petition was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board recorded the motion to allow finishing the basement; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally. The applicant may now proceed to apply for required permits and inspections from Inspection Services.