Planning Board approves multiple ADU and housing site plans; unanimous votes

Tony Gonzalez, chair of the Planning Board, convened the board on May 5 and led a series of site-plan reviews and votes that resulted in unanimous approvals for multiple ADU and multiunit housing projects.

The board approved a conditioned site plan for 18 Fred Street, where representatives described converting an unfinished garage into a separate ADU and noted one outstanding technical item: ensuring separate water and electric shutoffs so units can be isolated in an emergency. The board’s action included the condition that staff verify utility isolation and fire-safety measures before final sign-off.

Amanda Langer presented an 887-square-foot two-story ADU at 9 Edson Street, describing dedicated water and sewer services, a rear setback that meets zoning, and off-street parking. The board discussed the ordinance limits — 900 square feet maximum or 50% of the primary building’s living area, whichever applies — a point Deputy Chief Weeks (participating at the meeting) reiterated when answering technical questions about the cap and finishable attic/basement space. The board approved the 9 Edson Street plan.

Other approvals included:
- 48 Alphonse Road: a 543-square-foot ADU with a proposed driveway extension and separate electric meter; the board approved the plan with standard conditions.
- 55 May Avenue: an ADU proposal described by engineer Azuea Teneru as about 899 square feet that met dimensional and open-space requirements; approved.
- 39 Mystic Street: an ADU on a combined lot (previously two parcels) with stormwater recharge details and generous setbacks; approved.
- 39 South Street: a four-unit, two-story building under the MBTA multifamily overlay with required bike parking and drainage features; approved with standard conditions.
- 733 Main Street: a three-story, 12-unit building with 20 parking spaces (including a lot across the street); the approval included requested conditions to refresh the crosswalk and add sconce lighting at the front entrance.

Board members asked presenters to ensure technical items were resolved in tech review or on final plans. Chair Tony Gonzalez said staff will follow up as needed; interim planning director Elijah Ramales told the board he would coordinate with tech review staff and report back.

Votes at a glance (all roll-call votes recorded as unanimous):
- 18 Fred Street — approved, conditions: separate shutoffs/fire-safety notes — vote: 5–0
- 9 Edson Street — approved — vote: 5–0
- 48 Alphonse Road — approved — vote: 5–0
- 55 May Avenue — approved — vote: 5–0
- 39 Mystic Street — approved — vote: 5–0
- 39 South Street — approved — vote: 5–0
- 733 Main Street — approved, conditions: refreshed crosswalk and two sconce lights — vote: 5–0

The board closed the meeting after a brief discussion of a senior residential project the applicants said they will return to present after further coordination with staff.

What’s next: staff said it will provide the board with an ADU ordinance summary and consider streamlining tech-review expectations so by-right ADUs that meet clear technical standards do not routinely require full site-plan review.