Planning board tables 178 Glen Street apartment conversion over fire-safety and missing plans

The West Mulhouse City Planning Board on March 4 tabled an application to convert the second and third floors of 178 Glen Street into two two-bedroom apartments until the applicant submits additional construction and fire-safety details.

The project, listed in the agenda as SB26-007 and identified in the packet as owned by Tina Flores, requires site-plan review under the city's zoning code. During initial discussion, board members said they lack exterior drawings and needed information on HVAC condenser locations, utility closets and proposed egress paths.

"We can't make a motion to approve this," the Chair said, citing the absence of final plans and outstanding comments from building codes and the fire department. Committee members warned that unresolved egress or suppression requirements could force expensive retrofits later, noting one member's hypothetical $150,000 retrofit as an example of the kind of unanticipated cost that could appear without full plans.

A committee member moved to table the application "so that the applicant can bring in additional documents as requested by the board," a motion the board proceeded to consider. The Chair also reminded the applicant that any approval remains contingent on the fire department's signoff before construction can begin.

The board solicited public comment; the transcript shows a brief exchange with a person identified in the meeting as Doctor Olsen but contains no additional technical details from that speaker. The board did not vote to approve SB26-007 and will revisit the application after the applicant provides the requested plans and fire-department responses.

Next steps: the applicant must submit final construction drawings and respond to building and fire department comments before the board will consider a motion to approve.