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Board approves Galvin plan for 7 condos at 576 Quarry Street after public debate over density
Summary
Quincy’s zoning board approved Galvin Development’s plan to raise a blighted house and build two buildings totaling seven condo units at 576 Quarry Street, granting a use variance with board members asking for mature buffering and noting a proposed underground retention system of about 21,000 gallons.
The Quincy CBA on June 23 voted to allow Galvin Development’s application to raise the existing structure at 576 Quarry Street and construct two new buildings—one with four units and one with three—for a total of seven condominium units, granting the use variance required because multifamily is not permitted in the Residence A zoning district.
Attorney Edward Fleming and developer Sean Galvin described the site as a 21,550-square-foot parcel currently improved by a severely deteriorated single-family house. Fleming referenced a prior nearby Galvin project (580 Quarry Street) and said the proposed units would be larger than that earlier project. Galvin and engineer Jim Burke said the design includes individual driveways, two-car garages and an underground retention/recharge system sized to hold about 21,000 gallons to improve on-site drainage.
Supporters from the neighborhood — including Christine Grundy, Paul Burke and a resident of the adjacent 580 development — told the board the site is blighted and that the Galvin projects have produced attractive housing in the area. Paul Burke noted prior development at 622 Quarry and said the project would transform a blighted lot; he said the condos discussed last night could reach prices in the $700,000 range.
Opposition focused on zoning policy and neighborhood impacts. Sharon Tullow argued variances are intended for relief of unique physical hardship, not to change residential density, and said granting this request would harm abutting single-family properties by reducing buffering and privacy. Board members acknowledged that concern but several members said the parcel’s size and the developer’s record justified granting relief, while asking for mature screening and buffering to limit privacy and massing impacts on neighbors.
A motion to allow the petition was made, seconded and passed. The board’s approval grants the zoning relief discussed; planning-board review, technical peer review of drainage, and building-permit approvals remain required steps before construction.
