Board approves subdivision at 115 Town Hill Street, requires renovation of existing house

The Quincy zoning board on June 23 voted to allow an application by Elizabeth Wong to subdivide 115 Town Hill Street and construct a three-story duplex on the newly formed parcel, after hearing comments from the councilor and the applicant’s attorney.

Ward 4 City Councilor Virginia Ryan told the board she opposed the revised project plan, saying the proposed townhouse was too large for the narrow, historically quarried Town Hill Street and warning of potential retaining-wall complications, quarry dust and noise. She also said the owners had not consistently maintained the property and cited a mattress left on the site that she had reported for removal.

Attorney Edward Fleming, representing the applicant, said the neighborhood meeting had been held and that the team had downsized the proposal and addressed setback concerns discussed at the prior hearing. Fleming and project architect Mark Sullivan said construction would not require blasting and that the building would sit on ledge with slab-on-grade footings; Sullivan said only grade footings would be required and no basement excavation was planned.

Board members discussed housing needs and the size of the proposed townhouses. Several members said the applicant had provided revised drawings and that renovation of the existing single-family house should be required concurrent with the townhouse construction to avoid leaving the old house in disrepair. A motion to approve the subdivision with the condition that the existing house be renovated concurrently was made, put to a vote and carried.

The board closed the hearing portion and moved on to the next agenda items. Engineering and city staff will continue to review construction details as part of the permitting process.