Nursing home to condos : ZBA approves Sunshine conversion
Published on November 25th, 1997
STONEHAM, MA - At the continuation of public hearing The Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday night approved the necessary variances to remodel the Sunshine Nursing Home on Benton Street into an eight-unit condominium complex.
Steven Cicatelli, attorney for the petitioner, George A. Price, presented a revision to the original play which called for an eight-unit condominium complex utilizing the nursing home and neighboring two-family structure on Benton Street, both of which are owned by Price.
In response to neighborhood concerns regarding congestion of the neighborhood and opposition to any on-street parking that could result, as well as board skepticism of the previously proposed parking layout, Cicatelli said of the revised proposal, "in a lot of ways, this plan is more conforming."
According to Ciccatelli, the plan now calls for an eight-unit condominium complex which utilizes only the nursing home facility. The neighboring structure would be razed and used for condominium parking.
In addition, Cicatelli stated that the new plan includes certain conditions that were agreed upon at the last hearing. These items include stipulation that the multi-family dwelling must be a condominium form of ownership, snow must be removed from the property, and a trash receptacle must be contained within the building with a contract for removal.
Cicatelli described the hardship as the building's lack of marketability as a single family dwelling, calling it a "white elephant" of a structure. A multi-family dwelling is an appropriate use of the building due to its Residence B zoning.
The numerous variances requested for the plan include minimum lot size, frontage area, lot width, open space, and front, side and rear setbacks.
Warren Street resident Kevin Cunningham questioned whether the new plan called for the removal of the ramp on the Warren Street side of the building, calling it an "eyesore."
According to Cicatelli, the ramp will remain, making the building handicap accessible.
Other area residents questioned the size of the units. John Luther, of Warren Street, stated that with the necessary common areas provided in the building, the sizes of some of the eight units would, as a result, be very small.
Cicatelli concurred, but added that smaller units would likely yield more one-bedroom units. He called this a benefit to the neighborhood, since it would likely minimize the number of cars associated with the property.
ZBA member Matthew Kilty stated that he would like to see the building used as a six unit complex, in order to alleviate congestion in the neighborhood.
The petitioner's interest, however, was contingent on being allowed eight units, according to Cicatelli, who stated at the last hearing that "if it falls below eight, the deal falls apart."
The Board approved the plan with four votes in favor and Kilty in opposition.
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