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Condo owners granted variance in Cambridge to build garage for EV charging, board urges level‑2 option
Summary
The BZA approved a variance for Unit 50 at 50 Washburn Ave to build a two‑car garage over an existing parking space, citing lot shape and charging access; the board urged the applicant to explore a level‑2 charging solution to limit precedent concerns.
The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 27 granted a variance to owners of Unit 50 at 50–52 Washburn Avenue to construct a two‑car garage on one of four existing parking spots in a small condominium lot, finding the applicant’s arguments about lot shape and hardship persuasive.
Applicant Asha Jane said the garage would provide covered, frost‑free charging for their electric vehicle and additional storage; she described plans to convert two surface spaces to permeable/"green" parking so yard area would be reclaimed for family use. "We are proposing to switch 2 of the parking spots to green parking spaces," Jane told the board.
Board members asked about ownership, condominium support and electrical service. The applicant said the association had provided a letter of support for the proposed location and that the owners had explored options for providing power, including a separate meter run from the street; the applicant said an electrician had quoted roughly $20,000 to run service for a level‑2 charger given trenching requirements. Several board members said they were sympathetic to hardship tied to lot shape and the technical difficulty of getting level‑2 service to the site, but one member cautioned about setting a broad precedent of allowing garages for the stated purpose of accommodating level‑1 charging.
Chair Monteverdi moved to grant relief under the dimensional and accessory‑use provisions cited by staff, conditioned on the work conforming to the submitted drawings ("Washburn Condominium, 50‑52 Washburn Avenue," Chess Engineering, dated 10/29/2024). Roll‑call voice votes recorded Zaria Miranda, Virginia Keesler, Daniel Hidalgo and Steven Ng in favor and Chair Monteverdi opposed; the board approved the variance. The board also suggested the petitioner investigate a level‑2 charger and power options before construction.
