Landlord aims to clean up apartment building with new units

ZBA continues hearing as parking, trash issues arise

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The Zoning Board of Appeals requested more information from property owner Elmir Simov before appointing a special permit that would allow him to convert a six-family residence located at 17-19 Greenwood St. to an to an eight-family residence at their meeting Tuesday. Mr. Simov appealed to the board following the denial of a building permit from Building Commissioner Richard Reynolds denial because the property does not comply with the city zoning ordinance. At the meeting, a letter that Mr. Reynolds had written that voiced concern regarding the lack of fire-preventative sprinkler systems where the two new residences would be located. Although some of the planning and initial paperwork is still unfinished, Mr. Simov said the development of his building’s basement would improve the quality of neighborhood and benefit the city, because no new construction would be required. “The reason I am here is because I wish to convert the basement into two living spaces, and the goal is to have permanent tenants,” said Mr. Simov. “Through converting the home to include two more units, the tax revenue will become much higher, and I will be developing a space that is already there so it will not be considered new construction.” Mr. Simov said that he plans to professionally develop the additional spaces in the basement so as to attract quality tenants to a building that he said has been an “eyesore and a problem for police in the past.” Chairman Raymond LaFond was concerned with the limited storage space offered for the proposed tenants, and asked that Mr. Simov re-evaluate his plans to consider the storing of household items. “Where are these people going to store their Christmas ornaments and things like that?” asked Mr. LaFond. “This is something that you are going to have to figure out.” Among the primary concerns of the adjacent residents were the addition of four new parking spaces to accommodate the two new units, and waste storage and removal. “I just don’t think there is enough space back there for 16 cars to be parked there,” said Aline Roach, who owns the house behind the property on 26 Marquette St. “And I think that in the winter the snow removal, if it is pushed up against my fence, will cause a lot of run-off into my back yard.” Although no definitive decision had been made at the meeting, the board decided to continue the discussion at their next meeting, providing Mr. Simov more time to develop his plans. “I think we should continue this public hearing to our next meeting so we can get more information from Mr. Simov in regards to parking, drainage, and other concerns like storage,” said Mr. LaFond. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 7/16/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 167)