Cambridge Zoning Board Approves Three Variances, Sends Franklin Street Case Back for Revision

CAMBRIDGE -- April 11, 2024, Cambridge's Zoning Board of Appeals approved three residential variances and continued two cases to May 9 at its April 11 session. Chair Jim Monteverdi and board members Bill Beam, Daniel Fernando Hidalgo, Stephen Ng, and Virginia Kiesler voted 5-0 on each item decided. At 19 Huron Avenue, architect Doug Oken won approval for a basement family-room conversion and front courtyard at a building already within setbacks. At 123 Brattle Street, a 6.45-square-foot addition into the rear yard setback was cleared for Margaret Blumenreich under a Cambridge Historical Commission certificate requiring permit-drawing coordination. At 20 Wendell Street, attorney Greg McCarthy secured a variance for a lot subdivision from Lesley University that created nonconforming side-yard setbacks, with a driveway easement required as a condition. The Franklin Street case at 191 Franklin Street was sent back after Monteverdi said a proposed gross floor-area ratio of 0.91, against an ordinance cap of 0.75, "seems like it's too much," and Beam called the drawings "inadequate for understanding the project."