The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted 2-2 on Tuesday night to reject a special permit and variance request for an eight-unit, four-story market-rate condominium development proposed at 254 Spencer Ave., resulting in denial of the project.
Arthur Arsenault and Marilyn Vega-Torres cast votes in favor of the proposal, while Hugo Perdomo and Joseph Mahoney opposed it, aligning with Planning Director John DePriest’s recommendation against approval.
According to DePriest, converting the existing two-family house into eight units exceeded what the site could appropriately accommodate, and the developers failed to satisfy hardship criteria necessary for the special permit and variances to be granted.
Although the Planning Department had suggested a maximum of five units for the parcel, the project drew support from neighbors and city officials at Tuesday’s hearing, echoing backing it had received when the Planning Board approved it the previous month.
District 3 City Councillor Joe Perlatonda remarked, “I would hate to see these units be
abandoned, it is kind of an eyesore right now,”
Perlatonda pointed out that Chelsea has recently greenlit larger affordable housing initiatives, including the former Midas site development, and that the 254 Spencer Ave. property sits adjacent to the 34-unit Acadia affordable housing complex.
“The neighbors want this, I want this, and I
don’t think it should be limited to five units,” Perlatonda stated. “It’s a great
project, and I don’t see why we wouldn’t want it right now.”
According to Richard Lynds, attorney representing developer Ricky Beliveau, the four-story condominium structure would complement the surrounding area by providing a transition between the taller five-story Acadia development on one side and the triple-deckers situated on the other side of 254 Spencer Ave.
Lynds explained that to achieve financial viability, Beliveau requires eight market-rate units. He noted that Beliveau plans to invest $2.5 million in the project, with individual units priced at approximately $500,000 each.
“Ricky believes in the City of Chelsea,” Lynds stated. “For him to make this type of investment shows where his mind is
and where his wallet is.”
Following the failed vote on the special permit and variance, numerous attendees who had supported the project expressed frustration with both the board members and DePriest.
“We are going with what the law is in the
books,” Mahoney remarked.
Following the meeting, Lynds indicated that he and Beliveau would assess their options moving forward regarding 254 Spencer Avenue.
“It’s too early to tell what we will do
right now,” he explained. “We will look at all of our options.”
Lynds also expressed surprise at the intensity of DePriest’s vocal opposition to the development.
“This was an
opportunity for good, market-rate units,” Lynds stated.