ZBA continues proposal to convert Saucier Street garage to two apartments after neighbors, board raise safety and structural concerns

A petition to convert an existing garage at 0 Saucier Street into two residential units and add a second story was continued by the Zoning Board of Appeals on May 15 after neighbors and board members questioned the building’s structural soundness, proximity to adjacent houses and the safety of egress onto Saucier Street.

Attorney Peter Salino presented the proposal on behalf of Brad Turner, who said he would move his plumbing business off-site if the conversion is approved. Board members and nearby residents described the existing garage as old and very close to neighboring structures — drawings showed the garage 2½ feet from an adjacent two‑family at 18 Saucier Street — and questioned whether the existing walls could support a second story. The board also discussed the narrowness of Saucier Street and recent fire-response difficulties reported by an ex‑fire chief in written comments.

After several neighbors described past access problems and safety concerns, the petitioner asked to table the item to the June meeting to obtain engineering and structural details; the board voted to continue the hearing and asked the applicant to submit a structural engineering report and updated drawings prior to the next meeting.