The Land Use Committee voted to approve (see Report and watch NewTV video scroll down to Land Use meeting):
- Request to allow a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height in a setback at 12 Clark Street. According to the report, the retaining walls will be about five and a half feet tall and 72 feet long, and allow the petitioner to flatten the backyard out and build a small patio to prevent erosion. The Committee voted to approve 7-0. See Special Permit documents and Draft Council Order.
- Request to amend a previously approved Special Permit to allow a non-profit educational use and to waive 3 parking stalls at 14 Collins Road for the Winchester School of Chinese Culture’s after-school program. According to the report, Planning does not expect parking concerns. Several members of the public and councilors spoke in favor of the request. The Committee voted to approve 7-0. See Special Permit documents and Draft Council Order.
- Request to allow three single-family attached dwellings in two buildings, to waive certain dimensional requirements, and two parking stalls at 199 Church Street. According to the report, Planning and the Petitioner noted that the parking stall previously located in the front setback was moved to behind the 4 existing parking stall onsite and that they believe the change in use should have minimum issues on the neighborhood. The Committee voted to approve 7-0. See Special Permit documents and Draft Council Order.
- Request to further extend nonconforming FAR, to alter the nonconforming number of stories, and to alter the nonconforming front setback at 442-444 Lowell Avenue. According to the report, Planning noted that there is a right of way easement in the rear of the property – accessed from Lowell Avenue. The front of the building will keep the same design and style and there will be an addition to the rear with the addition of dormers but no changes in height of the structure. The Committee voted to approve 7-0. See Special Permit documents and Draft Council Order.
- Request to amend Special Permit #67-20 to allow a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center at 1089 Washington Street. According to the report, the petitioner addressed parking, landscaping, and littering concerns that were brought up by abutters. Three neighbors spoke with ongoing concerns about litter and parking. The City noted the site exceeds parking requirements.The Committee voted to approve 7-0. See Special Permit documents and Draft Council Order.
The Land Use Committee voted to hold the following:
- Request to further extend a nonconforming two-family dwelling and nonconforming front setback at 265-267 River Street. According to the report, neighbors had not been contacted and were concerned about parking. The Committee voted to hold 7-0. See Special Permit documents.