Good evening. This is the zoning board of appeals. I'm Janice Darka. I'm joined by other members of the board, Joan Cromwell, um, Yugo Perommo, Joseph Mahoney, Marilyn Vega Torres, and the st because we have a number of cases that we're not going to be hearing tonight. So, if people are here for them, I don't want
them to have to wait around for anything. So, um I'm going to be asking the board, can I please have a motion to move 2025-07100 Justin Drive, Boston Provisions to our meeting on September 9th? Do I have a push the button? I make a motion.
Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? I Okay, so that's being moved to the 9th of September. Um, we have, um, 20250 Herd Street, Gamble Assoc Gamble Associates, David Gamble. That's also being continued to September 9th. Do I
have a motion? Push the button. I make a motion. Second, Joe. All in favor? I. I. The next case that's being moved to September meeting, which will be a very
long meeting, is 2025-10 3462 Winnimmit Street and 1420-20 Pemroke Street, Chelsea Hospitality LLC. Do I have a motion to move that one? Make a motion. Joe, I Marilyn, all in favor?
I. And last we have a 2025-11 816 to 818 Broadway Treetop Test Investments, Inc. LLC. Um, that will be continued the next meeting. That's actually we'll be hearing that for the first time at our next meeting. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. So, do I have a motion to move
that to September 9th? You go. I make a motion. Second, Joe. All in favor? I. Okay. So again, all those four meetings will be September 9th. Um, so the first case in front of us today is 2025-05
24 Lewis Street, Adon Cortez Amaya for special permit seeking approval for a driveway opening permit which does not meet the minimum requirements for front yard setback within 5T of a side lot line nor within five feet of a wall
containing windows. John, this went to the planning board already, correct? Correct. Uh the planning board recommended approval with uh standing conditions as applicable. Install retaining walls to prevent erosion of the unpaved yard. Uh provide the
department permitting and land use planning with construction plan prior to approval of the building permit and the use of permeable pavers or pavement. And and actually we've taken this a little bit out of order because in fact we the planning board heard this before we had the opportunity to hear it. So, um, where I am, we haven't had a public
participation portion on this yet. So, please introduce yourselves, talk to us about your project, and make sure when you're speaking, you pick up the microphone and speak into the microphone. Okay. Good evening everyone. My name is Aronai Amaya Cortez at 24 Lewis Street. I'm
here for the purpose of seeking approval for a driveway opening for to be able to park two cars. That's the purpose of the meeting. My name is Juan Bernal. I am the Spanish interpreter. Thank you. Explain us what ask. Tell us what you're planning, sir.
Excuse me. I think it would be easier if you unattached the uh microphone and you could pass it back and forth and make life a little That's a good idea. Yes, we will do that. Okay. So, the per the project that I do have
in mind is to be able to have a uh parking uh lot like that. One car in front of the other one, one car behind the other one. So, It appears on the picture right there. I'm looking for your approval to see if it's feasible to be able to do
that that project that we have here. How long is the driveway? Um, I am not exactly sure to to answer your question about the the length of the driveway. the architect, the person that draw this design right there. As it
appears, the measures are right there. I'm not sure if you have the measures with you as well. Well, what does John, what does it say for the measurement? There's a figure right here that says 35 ft. This entire parcel is 100 ft deep,
and it looks like the driveway extends approximately halfway there. So, it's it's good 30 50. So, it's long enough for two cars. Yes. Okay. Any questions? You go.
Is Is that a porch a deck by the um end of the uh driveway? Is it a porch? the one that is next to it or the one at the upper side. Uh let's say you know the drawing is the actual driveway. The first car at the
end um what is it like in the corner of the house? Is that a deck? Is that a porch? If you can go back to Okay. Right here. Okay. If we can.
Yeah. I can see it. Go back to the No, that's you'll be able to see it. Okay. Do you want to see the back the other side? Is that good? Does that Yeah. Yeah. That's one of those um what do they call it? So, go back to that picture.
Yeah. Are you taking down that wall? You're referring to this wall. Do you remember? That is correct, ma'am. That is the plan to be able to bring this down in this one as well. We'll have new walls right here. Are you going to have to build a
retaining wall on the on Well, are you going to dig down? Are you going to level? How how is God bless you? I will look for professional advice to the company. They'll be able to tell me what kind of material do I need and how they're going to do with the professional. Well, actually that's the
kind of thing that if this gets approved, we would ask you to work with the planning department on and they would they would help you decide what the appropriate um appropriate materials Very good. Do you have a question?
Is Is there any lighting lights on on the driveway going to put lights on on the illumin driveway at this particular moment is not required. If that is needed, then I'll
be able to consider that. I I think it's more the question of not having too many bright lights going into somebody's yard is what the somebody's house And and that was my next question about the fans. Is that fans going to stay? You going to put new fans or uh what is
it? What's the plan? Excuse me. I was looking on the uh side if you know. No, no, no. Supposedly on this side of the house, that's where the driver is going. Correct. Right there where he's going. So that fence that metal fence is right now is he going to
put a an new one a block into the neighbor or does does he has any plan to put a new fence? That's my question. Is this f you're referring to? No. No. The one the one dividing the two houses like one in the middle. The one next to to the far right of the
blue. No, the one the silver post. The silver post right there. Yeah. All the Okay. There's going to be a fence right here. Okay. Mhm. If I need to do that, if it's possible, yes, I'm willing to do that. Put a fence
right there. Divide in both properties. I'm gonna open this. Do they have any questions? I'm gonna open to the public. Joe, press your button. Press your button. with regards to the uh planning uh department there uh and uh I see
standard conditions there will be the curb cut on the street and they're aware of that. Yes, we explained it. Can repeat that one more time. Did they know they need a curb cut that they have to get approval for a curb
cut? Where would that be? You need to get approval from the city before you can put a driveway there. But not this department, a different department. driveway. I didn't I was I didn't hear about this
but willing to know. You'll have to go. The DPW issues the curb cut DPW Department of Public Works. Department of Public Works.
I have a question. So, he said that he was going to remove the retaining wall on the left hand side. Is he planning on doing landscaping there or is he planning to create another spot there, parking spot there? Um, on that side.
Yeah. put a little bit of maj plants and keep both uh trees the way they are right there. That's the plan. So, you're going to build a new wall. Is that Are you going to build a new wall there? Is that what you said? You don't know. That is correct. That's where the the
wall will go. You just All right. And you're not going to All right. Correct. And on the plan on the plan, the the slide before this get the picture. It looks like he has a whoever created the plan put a car like in between the the
retaining wall and the sidewalk. He can't park there. He has to be able to park further up, I would assume. Right, John? The way the floor this plan is on. I don't think that's the retaining wall. I don't know because that looks like he's parking kind of like half of the vehicle like on
the sidewalk or am I No, looking at it wrong. No, I believe this is just a line showing the distance between Okay. All right. Just want to in the middle it says 16.9 ft. All right. So, that's just a line showing the distance. Okay.
Okay, I'm gonna open it to the public. Is there anybody here who wishes to speak on this? There being none, this closes the public participation portion of the hearing and as this has already gone to the planning board and they've made their recommendations, we're in a position to vote. John, what is the what's what are
the thoughts of the department? department uh recommends approval with the uh conditions as outlined by the uh planning board. The standing conditions as applicable uh install retaining walls to prevent erosion of the unpaveard. Uh provide the uh my department with a
construction plan prior to approval of the building permit and u use of permeable pavers andor pavement. Do you want June do you want to read those so you know what they were? Yes, I did. Okay. Yes.
Are you is are you comfortable if with those conditions? Yes, I'm fine with it. Okay. Do we have a motion on this? Okay. I I make a I make a motion to approve case number 2025-52 24 Lewis Street
Cortez Amaya for a special permit seeking approval for driveway with the articulated questions the conditions that you articulated also if they can add that he has to go to the DPW and apply for a curb cut
second. All in favor? I like that. There's a proc tell him that there's a process before it get written up and then get approved and that takes a couple of weeks and that um make sure he
has to bring the plans to the department before they start to do any building. He has to bring what? Bring all his proposed plans to the department before he begins to build. Also, I'm sorry before I forget the um street is there street parking
there parking we have to add he's not restricted because he's providing the number of uh parking spaces that's required. Okay. Okay. Very good. Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome. Thank you very much you all for the approval of my project. That is very much appreciated. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Is the next one Eastern Congress? Wait a minute. Where's the Am
I Did I take them out of order? Hold on. Gamble. Oh, Kana. Yeah. So, the next one is 2025 20250. Sorry. 157 161 Congress A Kiana Moreno Goff for
special permit to allow parking of a vehicle within the front yard setback and within five feet of a sideyard setback. John, this went to the planning board. Uh it did. The planning board recommended uh approval with standing conditions as applicable, a fence along
the property at the back of sidewalk, a landscape strip behind the Lind Street and Congress Avenue fences, and permeable pavers of pavement. Okay. Um are you comfortable with what's been proposed by the Have you comfortable? Could you introduce yourself, please?
Yes. Uh good evening. My name is Kitana Moreno, 157 Congress Avenue. Okay. And are you comfortable with what's been proposed by the planning board? Yes. Okay. Um, this is Do I have any questions before I continue? I'm gonna open it to the public because it's still this is still a public hearing. Is there
anyone here who wishes to speak on this? There being none, I'm closing the public participation portion of this. I actually have a question. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, Joan, I was I was just about to open it up to you. Do you have a question? Yeah. Um I know the last time um you
came before us. I had asked um in terms of reversing this was the same case where they were lined up and how if the plan was to reverse out um if you had that space. So if you have the lines parked parallel
in terms of reversing out and coming through that there would be enough room with the first car blocking the driveway so to speak. How would you navigate out? Yes. Based on the plot plan, um the existing driveway and the extra lot, it
has enough space to do the um curving turn. So, yeah, show us that. Showing So, show us what you mean. Take the take the microphone with you, please. So
um okay this is the driveway. This is driveway and this is about um 7 ft I believe. So the cars will be parked parallel will be only four. So when they come in they can do the turn
around and leave. So, John, is that wide enough to do what she's suggesting? Is that area is that? So, what you're concerned about was that she'd be able to back out. Yeah. Can Can they get out? You see up up here it says is
approximately 75 ft wide and this is approximately at the halfway point. So this aisle here is probably about 32 33 feet wide and uh standard our standards in the zoning you have to have a minimum of 24 feet. So they I think they have
sufficient pull him back out. But on the last one, so on the fourth one, the one who would where So would that one be able to back out and move? Is that what Right. Yeah. So the last one in the lane is right there. So there's a garage there. How will that one get out?
How's that one? It's it's how you that's not going to be able to back out sideways. How will that one get out? Um for the measurement that I see it have enough enough the last car. The last one. Yes. If this is one, two,
three, it will go back. Uh this one will maybe I don't know will have to go. Well, that's that's the problem. She doesn't that's I think that's the concern is Joan suggesting she doesn't want it backing into the street. Correct, Joan? But correct. That's what that's the
problem that we have right now that we only have parking for two two cars. So people have to go over the lot. So that's why we're trying to make space enough to do that. Right now there are only two cars, but we want to make two more spaces. So I'm not sure if the
tenant will have two cars, but at least we have enough space to park. And I believe there is a space. How much space between the very last the end of the last car and the garage because that's Can you turn back and back out slightly
and pull forward? Right. I mean that's what is that what we're trying to figure out. Yes. In here in this specific area. Yes. Right. And I believe yes because in this moment we have maybe
we have had two or three cars parked well going this way and I know if there is enough space to do that in this area. So you're parking there when you're not supposed to be is what you're saying. I'm sorry. Nothing. Keep going. Okay. So based on
the 25 plus the existing, I believe if the three cars are parked in this area, this one will be able to go backing down like backing out like right now exist like we have right now. But at
least we're going to have less cars. Why do they have to back out now? Why do they have to back out? Why can't if it's big enough and wide enough, why can't they just back? Because legally I only have two cars parking lots. So, two parking space. It's straight. It's just
Exactly. Okay. But I don't have fans right now. So, the cars coming this way, right? So, that's You want the cars to pull in that way and then be able to pull out? I just want the cars to come in and do this turn around. Or if it's not
possible to put them parallel this way, we can put them one, two, three, four. But at least we're going to have space to come in and out easily and less cars on the street. And that's why I wanted
to use this law. I think I think what we want to do is determine what the proper We don't want you parking cars. No, it's not going to be like I mean, it's not going to be like a puzzle. No, it's going to be e either the four parallels cars or two in front of each
other depending. This is the the garage and this is the car. this this car if we have three cars the last one will have enough space to do coming in back I don't think there won't be are the cars going to be parking toward
the house or they going to be toward the fence toward the fence and how many cars will we parking the maximum that I expect to park is four cars as allowed for by by the law I don't think will fit anymore
and John and the fence will go from since the driveway all the way around to the back car. We're looking for the fence will start by the driveway right here by Yeah. In the back of those there's the existing driveway. They will go around and we're looking for the fence to go
around here. The the concern is that currently the tenants who are parking there are going over the handicap ramp to go park there and we're trying to avoid that. So that's okay. That's that's I was just supposed to say is that a driveway? Okay. Now where the landscape will go?
building for a fence along at the back of sidewalk and uh some shrubbery right immediately behind that and there's some shrubbery along this fence as well just to to hide some of the parking. So the fence would lead up to the
driveway entrance. Right. Right. and then to the corner and then meet up with the existing fence. And the cars are parked not facing the building, the the house. They're facing the fence.
They would they would pull in and then face this way. Okay, that makes sense. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I think it'll be a need to look definitely as a I think it makes sense and thank you for
that clarification. And John, that's okay in terms of that setup. Yeah. Okay. It appears that it will work. Then it makes sense. Okay. John, thoughts, department thoughts. The department
recommends approval with the conditions that were outlined previously. So the sidewalk, the landscape, the landscaping trip, the landscape strip and the permeable pavers and pavement. Do you want we want to um do you want the department to have the authority to
approve the permeable paper? Do you want them to come to you before they build it? Okay. Yes. Okay. Then I think that we should add that to get department approval before construction. Any other thoughts?
Do they have do they need resident Is this a resident sticker issue? No. No. No. Any do we have signage? Signage private parking or what's your parking lot?
Well, I think the fence will help define at least that, you know, because it'll be clearly more it'll be clearly part of the looks like as as the fence if it's as they decide will look clearly like it's part of that building and the cars coming out should be able
to see the the traffic on the street would be beneficial. It's a straight road. Sorry. Just so that street that is what's what street is that? That street. That's Lind Street Extension.
That's Lind Street Extension. Okay. So, what's on the other side of that? Is it Open Field there on Lind Street or are there homes? Bu uh houses houses. And the driveways is exactly this opposite.
Okay. So just thinking about lighting, but they're going to have landscaping parallel to the fence, right? So the again the lights facing the abutters wouldn't be a problem because the landscaping is going to be there. Agreed. Agreed.
Got it. Do we have a motion? Want to make a motion? Good. Make a motion to approve case 2025-09 157 161 Congress Avenue
with the uh with the five conditions that were the five conditions previously mentioned previously mentioned including the approval by the department. Do we have a second? A second. All in favor? I Okay. Thank you. You got to bring it to the department
before you start work. Make sure the department approves it. Okay. Yes. Thank you. Next, next case is 202511 86 816 818 Broadway. Oh no, we moved that one. Sorry. No, that's next one. Sorry.
Uh, yeah, that's right. Oh, move to the next meeting. Sorry. My bad. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. 202512 471 Eastern A Philipp Driving School LLC. Um public hearing. So, this is the first
time that we're hearing this. So, is who's here to speak on this? This will be the first time we'll hear it. We'll open the public participation portion, but we will not close it. And it will go to the planning board on the 26th of August and back here on September 9th.
So, please introduce yourself and your name and address. Should I go first? How you doing? Felipe Aguilera with Felipe's Driving School. David Midland representing Felipe's Driving School.
So, this is what you might call a slightly strange case. Um, the property is a two-story office building on Eastern Avenue. um has really two parking spaces attached to it. This
particular use somehow requires 29 parking spaces. Um this for students probably so between 12 and 30 maybe in a given class, none of whom have cars because they haven't gotten their
licenses yet. So there really isn't a great need for parking there. Um, is this virtual learning? Is that I mean they're they're in a classroom learning. It had been and Mr. Aguilera tells me that they're going to be going live.
Um, so they will have classroom actual classroom teaching. If you look at the um floor plan of the school um you'll have what two classroom areas and then a small office. The rest of the property
is occupied by the owner who's here as well in case you have any questions for her. Um, and that's Elbert Roas. Um, again, it's fairly straightforward. Um, don't believe there are any other
requirements that are not satisfied. And the interesting thing is, which I didn't realize till Mr. Aguilera pointed it out. There is no driving school in Chelsea and there's a need for it. People are very excited about it.
They're very happy to have this. And um we have an experienced driving teacher here. Um he al Mr. Aguilera also mentioned to me the pickups and drop offs for the most part will be at the students houses not right in front of the building.
Tell us how your tell us how it works. tell us how your operation works. So for the adults, um they can take one class or as many as they need. Where do they take them? Like tell I I just pick them up at their home.
They can just go on the website and provide, you know, ask for our services and they're paid and then we come up with a schedule. And there and is it individualized classes or do you like on Mondays we teach parallel parking kind of? Nope. Nope. It's individual. So every
every person learns at their own will, right? So that you could buy one class or 100 classes and I pick up that person individual. That's how it works with the adults. But for the um junior operators, the state requires anybody under 18 to actually do
30 hours of classroom, 12 um hours of driving with an instructor, and six hours of observation watching other students. And there's also a twohour parent class and that's what is needed
for the classroom. So during COVID everything was online. Um just in June the RMV um made a decision that in September everything is going back in person. So it's a huge change for all the schools that are already existing because they
got used to being able to have you know I think it was 25 or 30 people max just online. So the instructor would just be at the office by themselves and the kids would just be at home. So if it's a two-hour if it's a two-hour parent class, so they have to show up at your site.
The parents would have to Yes. They're driving. They're driving. Where would they park? So there's all public parking on Eastern A and Broadway. Okay. Any questions? Marilyn or Joanie?
So what time would be your classes? Like you're not going to hold any classes at the site at the building? I will for the junior operators. So for the junior operators. Yeah. So my hours of operation that I have right now on the website that I'm you know I'm thinking 8:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. Um but they'll only be the classroom will only be being used after school hours. Okay. And there's a bus stop across the street. The Walgreens is there. Um the RMV is now literally across the street. They do I'm probably 100 yards to my right is
where they do the exam in the re Cronin ring. So it's it's actually a beautiful location. Yeah. Um and and the kids don't have access right now. I think it's a it's a good So for your in-person classes with the juniors y um what so if it's after school maybe like what 5 to 7 5 to 8
exactly whatever I decide to make it. So we would need to know that you know hours of operation. I would I would say 4 to 8 the latest. I don't think anything after 8. I mean they have school. What about weekends? On the weekends um I'm I would be open
um 8 uh 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. And I could do in in classroom classes then too. And then like I said after the 30 hours everything is just then being picked up at home and it's being done on the road. So, and when you do the parent classes, do
you schedule those all at once or Yeah. Yeah, they have to. Yeah. And it's mandatory. So, it would be one day, like two hours. That's it. And then once um Yeah. So, they we need the RMV is pretty particular with that. That needs to be done for the the kid to actually go to
the next level and actually get the exam. So, So, so the space that you have in the building is like two rooms, two offices. How many students fit in? Yeah, the square footage. So, that was the next question. I have, as you can see, it's marked off right there. My office is separate. It's over here. So, um, when I
did speak to Mike originally, he said I would have no problem. I think there's like a number that I don't know what that how to calculate that, but it would be between 25 and 30. I do need a minimum of 12 just because that's what the RMV requires, but I'm trying to get
the maximum so I can minimum of 12 what students? 12 students for the occupancy. Yeah. John, is there any parking in there at all? That would cross from the RMV. We submitted a plot plan, but there are two space. It's in the picture, though. I think
I know that there was some um so there's one maybe two spaces on the side here. So it's actually find a better a better Okay.
You said te I know that um the calc tell tell us how the calculation of needing 29 spots came up. I believe it was uh the building inspector uh came up with that number because you didn't know how many
students you were going to have. So therefore he based it on the occupancy that could be in that in those in that space. So you based it based on the number of people that could occupy it. So a couple couple of things. I mean it's a little unique because the kids
who are going to be occupying it aren't driving. So they don't have cars. But is there a way that if we limit this that we limit it specifically to this kind of business his business the number of parking spaces not the it would apply just to the business or it would apply to the building? It would apply to the business.
Oh the business. Okay. Um the this would be considered a school uh um not a public school but a school and the our parking requirement is one for every three students plus one for every teacher or something like that. But since they couldn't tell how many students were going to be there he he
estimated it based on the full volume of that of that space that was outlined. So but some not unique but some it's somewhat um odd in how you look at it. Yeah, the spaces are over here. There's
enough room for two cars and that's it. And the car that will you use for the driving on the road? You leave your that car in there in that driveway? I I could or just park it out out front. My question is you will do it overnight? Not overnight. I would take that home.
Do they use their own cars or do you have special cars that they use? Oh, no. It's a special car. Tuesday. Yeah. I have the break on. Yeah. And the classes are going to be throughout the day, right? So there's not a class with Is it going to be one
class? Cuz usually it's 2 to 4 or 4 to 6 or 6 to 8 with separate classes depending on the timing that Great question. The only time that it would be during the day would be if I hold a class during vacation. M
if not it wouldn't be possible because I would just do adults during the day which don't have to show up there. I picked them up at their home and then um a lot of the other schools cuz I've been with um Henry's Auto School for 3 years um when I started my career doing this and they take advantage of that and a
lot of schools do. So if they know it's like uh winter vacation they'll they'll advertise it on the website and it fills up pretty quickly. So the kids will take advantage of that and then that would be Mr. Angola. Why don't you tell us then the hours that you used in your previous um place because you know we're talking
about summer during the you know in the summer you're not going to want to limit your time to 4 8 to 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Yeah. Because I think I mean if we limit to 4 to 8 then that that's going to take out summers. It's going to take out school vacation. Yeah. No, you're right. I'm just saying that at the you know while they're in
school it's literally it's it would just be 4 to 8. But 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. would probably be the the um no one use that side of the building where the fans are. No one I I believe that's to the other property. Okay.
I believe John, didn't we approve the use of that building for office in the past and the parking lot was I believe you uh voted to allow a residential unit on the top floor.
Anything else before I open it up? Yeah, I just wanted to um first of all compliment you because there hasn't been a like you said a driving school here at River Auto School used to be on Broadway many many moons ago. It's still there. That's where I got my license a long time ago.
In Chelsea, it actually was. And then it moved to Reier Auto School Broadway. Um but I know my kids actually took classes during the vacation break. So, it was the morning to 2:00 p.m. like 9 to 2 or something like that for the whole week. Y
um so it's wise to choose the hours from like 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Okay. As well as on the weekends and um um yeah, I think it's a great idea and I think it's definitely access which is very important needed. So, thanks.
Thank you. Is there any more employees that will help you during the day while you open? Yeah. So, where I'm starting out, I am looking to have instructors. Um, how many how many people? So, the way other schools do it is the cars wouldn't need to be parked there.
They usually a lot of the instructors take the cars home and then they're just working. But how many how many u right now I'm going to start with one and see how it goes. That's that's my plan. Yourself or just No, just me for now. Yep. Because people have to get certified and
stuff. So the only thing I think about too that's Eastern A and it's busy. So in terms of crossing um I don't know I don't know what could be there or what you could think about. Um so the the gas station
is right across the street, right? So, I know there's a stop light there, but it's a pretty they fixed that area all up and the and the um the bus stop is literally across the street. So, yeah. And there's a new light there with
a crosswalk and everything. So, okay. This is a public um hearing. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak on this? This will not be the only opportunity you have to speak. This will remain open because you're seeking a special permit. It has to go to the planning board on August 26th.
Okay. And back here and back here on September 9th. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want to speak? I'm I'm sorry. Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm
It's Please come. I I didn't see you. I apologize. Please um please give your name and address please. Hi everyone again. This is Ela Roas from 471 Eastern Avenue. I own the building and I'm in support. Okay. I think the school would be great there
and I think Chelsea would also benefit from having a driving school. Thank you. Thank you. And I'm sorry for for missing you. Um thank you. See you next month. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. The next case in front of us,
which is also the first time we'll be hearing it, is 202513-1383 Watts Street Watt Street LLC for special permit and variance seeking approval to establish two additional residential units by constructing apartment and the
existing basement space which does not meet the requirements for minimum lot area, minimum usable open space, and maximum floor area ratio. Um, again, we'll be this we will not be deciding this today. It'll go to the planning board on the 9th of Sep on the 26th of
September. Okay. Uh, good evening, madam. Hold on. I just want to ask them to All right. All right. Go ahead. Good evening, madam chairman, members of the board. Anthony Ross on behalf of the petitioner. I do have Rick Costa who's the manager of the LLC of record for
this property. Uh, Mr. Costa re recently purchased this property. It's currently Hold on one second. We the other case, if you guys are here for any other case, those are all continued. So, I don't know if people realize that. I just wanted in case you came in late. Sorry. Sorry. Um, so Mr. Cross versus property, it's
currently a four unit um structure on top. It's got two garages on the front of the of well, four garages. One, one, one, one. And if and the apartments that were being proposed, two additional units. They're not in the front of the building. They're in the back of the building. You're going to enter from the
side. So, it's a different elevation. So, from the side, from the rear, it's a walk out back and there's two two-bedroom apartments being proposed all within the same footprint. So, nothing is changing on the structure. Um, it was uh previously used as ser um
storage maintenance for the building, but it wasn't really needed. It was just another wasted space. Um, as far as pockets concerned, there's no parking requirement that's needed on this project. There's 11 parking spaces being provided. only 10 are needed um as the
it's a one and a half pocket space per unit per two-bedroom and for threebedroom. So all he's proposing is two two-bedroom units and the only relief that's being sought is because it's doesn't meet the dimensional regs for the sites of course but it's all in the same footprint nothing's changing
it's going to add two more units uh to the u the Chelsea market which is going to create more tax revenue for the city and more additional housing that's required Mr. Cross is a major developer in the cities. Sent many buildings, took old buildings, refurbished them, all the
old room houses, upgraded them to luxury units and their price for Chelsea residents because they're smaller type of units. He recently just did the building right across the street from here, the the brick building out of the two stories and matched the building. And so he wants to redo this whole
building and and he needs these additional units to try to make it the offset the expenses of restoring the exterior of the building as well down the road. And that's basically that's all being proposed is taking storage in the rear of the building to make it into two apartments. How what size apartments?
Um square footage is one 700 square feet and the other one's 866. One bedroom or two? Two bedrooms. So decent size and they each going to have um total of four spots total for those two units.
John, is the accurate that we don't need parking issues? And if there were no parking issues? Yes. Okay. Questions? What? 11 spaces are provided. Two in the garages and seven in the back. It's just we question whether the one of them in
the back, the one the to the right to the farthest to the left is usable because you won't be able to back out and pull in. But that still leaves you with more than still but it's still enough. Yeah, it's one it'd be one extra spot if that was legal or not, but it's still compliant any anyways.
Okay. So, it's dimensional requirements for the most part. Okay. Question. And again, we're not creating another dimensional setback violation. It's a pre-existing structure. Everything is inside the structure. Okay.
Higher and better use basically. Correct. Questions before I open it up. Marilyn. Yeah. So forms of egress. Does it have like two forms of egress? Yes. Require two. Yeah. And um what about like the heating equipment? Where is it going now?
So it's going to be all electric. That's correct. And mini split system and it going right out. It's actually easy because you get the rear of the building where the units are. So you can put the condenser, right? So the whole entire building is electric. The whole entire building runs on electric.
I don't know if the whole building is electric, but I know these two units here. Okay. There might be some G gas cooking on the other floors, but as far as heating for the units, there'll be electric mini split. Okay. So if there is other equipment for the
other units, where are they going? Are they not in the basement now or are they in other areas? They're not in the That's not This is not a furnace unit. This is not No, the the units are in the the heat is in the units respectively and the condensers are on the roof. Okay. So, and there might be one on the
exterior on the side, but there's condensers, but not this there. We're not moving any It's It was just storage. Okay. In there. And so there's no basement. There's no basement attached to that where there was heating equipment. No, there wasn't It wasn't like a duplex
apartment or anything like that. Okay. Okay. the U on the driveway. There's a fence dividing that property to the other one to the next one on the driveway to get in the back. John, can I see the There's a fence in the rear.
There's a fence in the rear. There's a fence in the rear of the property. So, that driveway to the right, that's how you get in. There's a fence in the rear of the property. Closed in. to give you a plenty of view for the
cars coming out and see the pedestrian going across. Is that plenty of view for the drivers? So, it's a paved driveway on that side there. So, when you say Yeah. Can people see? I mean, we're not adding parking. That's already existing.
My question is how you come out the driveway, right? Is there plenty of view now when you got to the to the street? So, can you see the the Yeah, because it's one way it's a oneway street. No, no. My question is Okay. My question is to see the pedestrians. If it literally coming, you know, on the
sidewalk, y the cars will or the person driving the cars will be able to see the kids, you know, or or they need one of those mirrors on the side for you to see. They see it now. There's never been an issue. We're not adding any spots. It's already paved. It's already
parking. Just more parking than what was ever needed. And there's never been an issue. my understanding. Correct, Ricky? Not that I know. Yeah. I mean, we could always if you wanted to, we could talk about it. We could always put a mirror on the right side. I mean, if it doesn't, even though you're not actually a test,
just just for the record, since we're you're behind there, could you just introduce yourself? The name and address, please. Your name? Oh, Rick Costa. Address. Address, please. Uh, Rick Costa. Address. Address. My address 11av Chelsea.
Thank you. Yep. I didn't mean to but I just he was talking so was there. Any other questions before I open to the public? Again, this is public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to speak on this? This will not be the only opportunity. This
will come in front of the planning board on the 26th of August and back to us on the 9th of September. Nope. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you board. Thank September will be busy.
Um do we have a motion to adjurnn? Motion to second. Press the button. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. Thank you.