Published in the August 1, 2018 edition

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Old-timers remember it as Woodville Service, but the most recent use of 349 Water St. was as a Planet Aid location. Next, the property will be used to sell used cars, after the Zoning Board of Appeals made the necessary findings and approved a Special Permit.

Applicant Juan Almonte appeared before the ZBA last week with property owner Frank Taibbi and Attorney Michael McCarthy.

The property is business-zoned but is surrounded by residential neighborhoods. Twenty-one spaces for cars were proposed, including two spots inside the building.

Board members questioned how the number of cars on the site would be policed. McCarthy said that Almonte will have to seek a Class II used car dealer’s license from the Town Council and assured the ZBA that the Town Council would only approve what the ZBA approved.

Landlord Frank Taibbi said that he has tended to stay away from car dealerships but has dealt with Almonte in the past and found him to run a neat and clean operation. Taibbi assured the board that he would not allow Almonte to do anything he shouldn’t.

The ZBA insisted that spaces for customers/visitors should be marked and all the other spaces have to be striped. The board want to see a plan showing the spaces. No new lighting will be permitted and signage is limited to the façade of the building.

The ZBA received no objections from any town departments and no one from the public testified at the hearing.

The board made a finding that the pre-existing structure is nonconforming and voted to allow the proposed use. They also granted a Special Permit for motor vehicle sales.

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In a continued hearing, the ZBA heard presentations related to 598 North Ave., where applicant Jonathan Main is seeking Special Permits and other relief in order to build a sister structure to his recently completed garden-style apartment building at 600 North Ave.

Attorney Michael McCarthy said that the Conservation Commission still has concerns related to the project’s impact on a nearby wetland. A meeting with the ConCom is scheduled for later this week.

A landscaping plan was presented but there were questions as to why walkways were not shown on the plan. A lighting plan was also presented at the hearing. The landscape architect and the lighting engineer are expected to come to the next meeting. Architectural plans were presented at an earlier meeting.

The hearing was continued to Aug. 22.

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In a new hearing, the ZBA heard a proposal to turn the old Winsor Real Estate-Greers Century 21 building at 29 Albion St. into six residential units with retail space on the ground floor.

Applicants Joseph and Sarah Torretta appeared before the board with Attorney Michael McCarthy. The Torrettas are hoping to purchase the property from Winsor.

There is no parking on the site but it was noted that the property is close to the commuter rail and other public transportation. It was stipulated that when the units are marketed it will be made clear that if tenants want off-street parking they will need to find it off-site.

During a discussion on parking, one board member wanted to see that there were some leased spaces available. But McCarthy argued that the tenants would be gone during the day and could park on Albion Street at night when businesses are closed.

McCarthy noted that there were other uses, such as a restaurant, that could go in the space by right and present a bigger parking burden than what was being proposed.

No one from the public testified and the hearing was continued to Aug. 22.

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After some discussion, the ZBA granted a Special Permit for an accessory apartment to Brian and Danielle Mason of 8 Stone Way.

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The board granted a Special Permit to “Healthy Habits, LLC” for a fitness business at 3 Teal Rd.

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The ZBA approved a request from Jeremy and Anne Duvall of 27 Paon Blvd. for a variance that will allow them to build a modest one-story addition to their home.

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The board approved a modification to the sign at 41 Tuttle St. for “The Remedy Exchange” that will be going into the former site of The Porch.