Board approves special permit and variance for reconstruction at 36 Wood Street with conditions

The Woburn Zoning Board approved both a special permit and a variance on a proposal to demolish and reconstruct a single‑family dwelling at 36 Wood Street, citing the lot’s steep slope and constrained geometry as the basis for a hardship finding.

Project presenter Mike Menna described the plan to keep as much of the existing foundation as feasible and to build a new single‑family home with an attached below‑grade garage. The petitioner requested relief from a rear‑yard setback (proposed 20.2 feet where 30 feet is required) and a special permit to maintain an existing substandard side setback.

Neighbors raised concerns about demolition‑related rodents and the stability of a large nearby tree; the applicant agreed to standard demolition pest‑abatement measures and offered to follow any arborist recommendations. The board conditioned approval on the structure remaining a single family and compliance with board of health abatement and arborist recommendations, then approved the special permit and variance.

The approvals were granted with language the applicant and staff will incorporate into the written decision and conditions for building‑department review.