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ZBA grants variances at 179 Brookdale Avenue to move utilities and reduce flood risk
Summary
The board approved multiple variances enabling the homeowner at 179 Brookdale Avenue to move mechanicals and laundry out of a frequently flooded basement, widen driveway access and legalize a patio; the decision cited repeated flood damage to the property and attendant habitability concerns.
Homeowner Jason Labate described two severe floods (including 2021's Ida) that inundated his Brookdale Avenue house, damaged vehicles and filled the basement with water; he told the board the proposed changes are necessary to continue living in the home. Architect Gregory Lewis explained the project includes relocating mechanicals and laundry to the first floor, raising Bilco door thresholds and reconfiguring a driveway and patio, which collectively increase the house's FAR.
Board members discussed parking tradeoffs and whether the garage conversion was necessary for flood mitigation. One member suggested keeping the existing garage door and maintaining a single legal parking space while repurposing the garage area for mechanicals; the applicant said his garage is currently too small to reliably store a vehicle and that the proposed plan provides needed space for mechanicals, laundry and safer egress. After deliberation, a motion to grant the requested variances passed on a roll call, with the board finding the flooding history and habitability impacts justified the relief requested.
