Zoning board approves 38 Walker Street conversion, rejects basement half bath

The Quincy Zoning Board voted June 9 to allow the conversion of 38 Walker Street from a single-family home to a two-family dwelling, approving the applicant's revised Plan B that keeps the basement free of a half bathroom.

Applicant Yan May Lin (who also identified herself as Yongen) told the board she and her co-applicants submitted two options: Plan A would place a half bathroom in the basement and a laundry there; Plan B would locate the half bathroom on the enclosed front porch/first floor and put laundry in the basement. "We still think that to put half bathroom on the basement is ... more functional because the basement is going to be a family [space]," Yan said, explaining the family-use rationale for Plan A but acknowledging the board's concerns.

Board members pressed for clarity about how basement spaces would be labeled and used. Mr. Lame flagged a long, unlabeled area on the basement plan and pressed whether that space could later become a bedroom if a bathroom were installed. A board member summarized the concern: future owners "may want to construct the bedroom down there," which influenced support for the plan that keeps the basement without a bathroom.

The board also noted receipt of a mold inspection letter stating there was no indication of mold in the property. After discussion, members moved and voted to approve the variance on the condition the work proceed as shown in Plan B: conversion to a two-family with the half bathroom placed off the enclosed porch/first floor and a laundry provision on the basement level as presented to the board.

The applicant confirmed she would proceed under Plan B. The board recorded the motion, second and carried vote; specific numerical tallies were not stated on the record. The applicant may now pursue building permits consistent with the approved plans.