Zoning Board Approves Lot Split, Roof Variance
The Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 to approve a special permit splitting the lot at 17 Monmouth Street, clearing a seven-unit redevelopment of a vacant 1896 house despite a staff recommendation to deny it.
Zoning Board · Meeting of August 19, 2026
SOMERVILLE — The Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 to approve a special permit splitting the lot at 17 Monmouth Street, clearing a seven-unit redevelopment of a vacant 1896 house despite a staff recommendation to deny it. Architect Will Shalafat of KDI Architects said the plan requires removing a historic bay window the Somerville Historical Commission had recommended keeping; member Zachary Zaremba argued the project "is aligned with SomerVision 2040" and disagreed with the staff memo. Neighbor Tom Bent raised concerns that the project would bring the total "to seven units in that area where there hasn't been a lot of traffic" but did not oppose it.
The board also voted 4-0 to grant a hardship variance for roof work at 22 Park Avenue. Member Ann Fullerton resigned in late July after moving out of Somerville, leaving the five-member board with a vacancy still unfilled.
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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of August 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.
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