Board grants special permit to add fourth floor at 351 Cardinal Medeiros Ave.

The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 9 granted a special permit to add a fourth floor and an additional dwelling unit to an existing triple‑decker at 351 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue (case BZA1183283).

Attorney Patrick Barrett, representing the proponent Palo Santos, told the board the project would revitalize a building that is "in a pretty significant state of disrepair," add one housing unit and bring the structure into code compliance. Barrett said the applicant seeks relief under Article 8 of the zoning code and asked the board to allow a special permit request tied to contextual‑lot considerations.

The chair, Jim Monteverdi, explained that the board's review focused on the special‑permit criteria rather than reinterpreting a footnote in the new multifamily zoning table. He said the city Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and the city legal department view footnote 3 as not applying to corner lots, and that the special permit is the proper mechanism for the board to consider the request.

Neighbor Joel Fishman, who said he lives at 1 James Way immediately east of the property, urged the board to deny relief, saying the surrounding area is predominantly two‑story and that a fourth floor would increase shadow over his property and trees. "I don't think it's appropriate to have a 4 story building in a neighborhood, which is all threes," Fishman said.

Board members discussed scale, neighborhood context and the written materials submitted with the application. Member Daniel Legato said he was "inclined to go for this" because the new zoning allows four‑story buildings and he did not foresee major traffic or congestion impacts. Other members likewise said they did not find the proposal would create a hazard or impair the integrity of the district.

Chair Monteverdi moved to grant relief from dimensional requirements (Sections 5.31 and 8.22) and to grant a special permit under Section 10.40 on the condition that work conform to the plans titled "Property renovations 351 Bridal Maderos/Medieros Avenue" prepared by W.D.G. Design Group dated 06/19/2025 and initialed by the chair; the motion also incorporated supporting dimensional forms submitted with the application. On a roll call vote the board recorded five votes in favor and the special permit was granted.

The board attached standard conditions requiring that the completed work match the approved drawings and photo simulations, that the petitioner maintain the approved appearance, and that the petitioner comply with prior site‑specific special‑permit conditions where applicable. The permit was granted subject to those conditions; the board did not authorize changes beyond the plans and materials submitted.

The special permit takes effect under the board's usual process; the applicant must proceed per the approved plans and obtain any building permits required to begin work.