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Board, residents press applicant over condo conversion, tax lots and future sales
Summary
During the variance extension hearing, board members and a resident questioned whether converting use or tax IDs to three condominium lots would change the project's variances or set an unwanted neighborhood precedent; the applicant said condo classification was sought largely to secure insurance and financing.
Multiple board members and a public questioner pressed the applicant about an apparent shift in the project's tax‑lot or ownership structure: the property currently has two tax lots, and the applicant's April 4 letter discussed proceeding with three lots and a condominium structure. A resident asked whether converting to condominiums would allow each unit to be sold individually and whether that might set a precedent for the neighborhood.
The applicant said the current intention was to rent the individual units and that the condo classification was pursued primarily to obtain insurance and improve lending options. Project architect Steve Secon described the units as operating "really as 3 individual townhouses" with a common backyard and driveway but without the typical condo amenities (recreation rooms, meeting rooms). A board member noted that assessor and tax classification questions fall to the assessor's office and are not within the zoning board's jurisdiction.
Board members signaled concern about possible long‑term effects of converting to separate tax IDs, asking whether that change would alter variance requirements or set a planning precedent. Staff said assessor rules and tax ID handling are determined by the assessor's office; the zoning board repeatedly clarified that its action was limited to extending the variance and would not certify tax classification or condo status on the board's letterhead.
