Zoning board approves two-home redevelopment at 52 Dunbar Street

The Brockton Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a variance allowing developer Ricky Da Silva to demolish a dilapidated house and build two single‑family homes at 52 Dunbar Street.

Attorney John McCluskey, representing the applicant, told the board the parcel consists of two lots of record created in 1965 and said replacing the blighted structure meets the practical‑difficulty standard under the zoning code. "The neighbors want it. The councilors want it," McCluskey said, adding he had letters of support from Councilor Jeff Charnell and Councilor David Teixeira and several adjacent homeowners.

Neighbor Gloria Rubilar testified she and other residents back the project but urged the city to inspect the street and curb conditions before construction begins, saying the current lot has tall grass and creates a safety hazard for children. Board members asked whether the street is an accepted city way or a private way — an issue the board said does not change the property‑level relief before them — and confirmed utilities and drainage exist on the lots.

After discussion the board moved to grant the requested relief. The clerk recorded the vote as five in the affirmative, none in the negative; the petition was granted. The board closed the hearing with a reminder that construction impacts on the adjacent street are outside the zoning variance and should be addressed with the appropriate city departments.