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Board approves subdivision and townhouse plan at 115 Town Hill with renovation condition
Summary
The CBA approved a petition to subdivide 115 Town Hill and allow new townhouse construction after applicant agreed to renovate the existing single-family home concurrently; the board attached a condition requiring exterior renovation consistent with submitted images.
The Quincy CBA voted June 23 to approve ZBA26-8, allowing a subdivision at 115 Town Hill and construction of townhouse units on the newly formed parcel, with the condition that the existing single-family home be renovated concurrently and substantially consistent with the photos presented at the hearing.
Edward Fleming, attorney for the applicant, told the board the revised plan narrowed the building footprint, removed one driveway, added landscaping and eliminated several variances previously requested. Fleming said most interior renovations do not require building-department plans but the exterior siding and landscaping shown will “beautify” the house and were intended to bring the property in line with surrounding development.
Ward 4 City Councilor Virginia Ryan spoke in opposition, saying the proposal was “too big for that area,” citing narrow roadway conditions on Town Hill, historical quarrying on the site that could complicate retaining walls and concerns about dust and noise. Fleming responded that the project would not require blasting and that construction would use slab-on-grade footings to sit on the ledge rather than excavate into it.
Board members debated the scale of the townhouse portion but several members said housing is needed on that corridor. Several members proposed — and the majority adopted — a condition making renovation of the existing single-family home a requirement of granting the subdivision so the owner would not retain a deteriorated structure after development.
The motion to approve, made by a board member and supported by the board, passed in a roll-call indicated on the record. The board also noted that planning and engineering review would continue at the planning-board level and that drainage and construction methods would be peer-reviewed during permitting.
The board’s action is limited to the zoning relief requested; planning-board approvals, building permits and any technical peer review remain separate steps before construction begins.
