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Neighbors raise odor and service concerns as owner seeks to convert 215 Sandwich Road; ZBA continues review
Summary
Mohammed Parwaz asked the Wareham ZBA to allow conversion of a commercial building at 215 Sandwich Road into two residential units. Neighbors expressed worries about sewer capacity, odor from the nearby treatment plant and future nonconformity; the board continued the matter to Aug. 26 to consult counsel and the building commissioner.
Owner Mohammed Parwaz told the Zoning Board of Appeals he has invested in utilities and renovations at 215 Sandwich Road and asked for a variance to allow two residential units because he has been unable to find a commercial tenant. "I bought that property under the presumption of keeping as a commercial," Parwaz said, but asked the board for relief because the buildings setbacks and physical layout would make residential conversion more practical.
Neighbors said they were not opposed to investment but wanted clearer information about the intended future use and potential neighborhood impacts. Lois Wharton of 15 Ladd Avenue told the board she was most concerned about a recurring odor from a nearby water treatment plant and whether new residents would suffer or the neighborhoods conditions would change.
Board members and staff discussed technical requirements that affect conversions: whether sprinklers would be required for more units, the towns ability to connect to water and sewer, and how floor-area ratio (FAR) and lot-area rules interact with the July 1 state law change. Town planner Josh Flattery briefed the board on the new statutes implications and said the board should get counsels and the building commissioners input before concluding.
Because of the number of open technical and legal questions and because a neighbor had filed a complaint, the board voted to continue deliberations to Aug. 26 to allow staff and counsel to review the application and provide a recommendation. Chair Naziel Collase explained that public comment was closed and the board would deliberate further but that neighbors could attend to listen to the continuation.
The continuation will specifically address whether granting a variance will legally abandon any grandfathered commercial use, whether the file meets FAR and lot-area constraints, what building-code upgrades (such as sprinklers or changes to exits) will be required, and whether sewer/water capacity supports the proposed uses.
