BZA votes: multiple residential variances and special permits approved, including Harvard Square conversion

The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals granted relief on a multi‑item docket at its July 11 meeting, approving special permits and variances for a series of small residential projects and two larger conversions, with most votes taken by voice and conditioned on conformity with the submitted drawings.

Notable outcomes included:

• Tierney Street (BZA27223141): Applicant Gerald McCarthy received a special permit to keep a reoriented front stair that intruded into the front‑yard setback after a floor‑raising; the board approved the chair’s motion conditioned on drawings.

• Miller Avenue (PCA/BZA26859917): A request to rearrange rear windows, add a skylight and a small roof deck was approved by voice vote.

• 50 Wendell Street (BZA27480050): A 34‑square‑foot dormer extension to increase usable third‑floor space was granted; the board noted a Wendy Leiserson disclosure of a prior, non‑zoning relationship with the applicant’s attorney.

• 47‑20 Cogswell Avenue (BZA27143947): The board granted variance/special‑permit relief to allow a modest rear addition and a slight FAR increase, noting letters of neighbor support.

• 63 Reservoir Street (BZA27279063): Architect Allison Hammer and homeowner Rafael Harmillo won a special permit to add two small additions (about 220 sq ft total) to accommodate a growing family; the motion passed on a 4–1 vote.

• 37 Bella Circle (BZA27279137): A third‑floor infill on an end‑unit townhouse was approved after the applicant presented neighborhood support.

• 145 Fifth Street (BZA269729145): A full second‑story raise plus dormers and interior reconfiguration to make the house more family‑friendly was approved; the Historic Commission had reviewed the approach and the board approved the special permit with conditions.

• 27 & 29 Mellon Street (companion cases): Variances and subdivision relief were granted to allow modest third‑floor additions and to reestablish original lot lines following prior campus use; board members discussed egress and fire‑escape certification as a follow‑up at permitting.

• 11 & 11B Mount Auburn Street (BZA2714329): The board approved variances and a special permit to convert two historic office buildings in the Harvard Square overlay back to four residential units (two units in each structure), subject to the historic‑commission certificate of appropriateness and the submitted drawings.

All approvals were conditioned on compliance with the drawings and supporting dimensional forms that were initialed and dated in the record; applicants must secure permits and satisfy building‑department code and inspection requirements before starting work.

Votes at a glance (as read into the record): Tierney — approved (voice); Miller — approved (voice); Wendell — approved (voice); Cogswell — approved (voice); Reservoir — approved, 4–1; Bella Circle — approved (voice); Fifth Street — approved (voice); 27 Mellon — approved (voice); 29 Mellon — approved (voice); Ridge (mosque) — approved (voice; see separate article); Mount Auburn — variances and special permit approved (voice).