Below is a summarized version of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
📅 June 1, 2026 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:06:22
⏰ Meeting End: 00:51:05
💻 Format: In-person
👤 Chair: Chris Cridler
👥 Attendees: Zoning Board of Appeals members and associates; staff support
📋 Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) addressed three continued matters. The Board unanimously voted to continue the hearing for 90 John Carver Road to July 2026 at the applicant’s request. The Board then heard and approved a variance for 107 Wuburn Street, allowing conversion of an existing nonconforming medical office to a multifamily residential use with conditions, including revised parking, landscaping, and installation of a privacy fence.
The Board also approved a variance for 51 Forest Street to allow construction of an attached garage with reduced side-yard setback, following extensive discussion of hardship criteria, neighborhood context, and public input. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes as amended and brief discussion regarding officer nominations, which was deferred.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:06:22 | Continuance Request – 90 John Carver Road |
| 00:08:12 | Continued Hearing & Vote – 107 Woburn Street |
| 00:22:33 | Continued Hearing & Vote – 51 Forest Street |
| 00:48:15 | Approval of Meeting Minutes |
| 00:50:57 | Adjournment |
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Continuance Request: 90 John Carver Road
⏰ 00:06:22 – 00:07:23
👤 Presenter(s): ZBA Members
Overview
The applicant requested an additional extension of the hearing.
Decision
✅ Continued to the July 2026 meeting
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
📢 Public Hearing & Vote – 107 Wuburn Street
⏰ 00:08:12 – 00:22:20
👤 Presenter(s): Attorney Josh Latham (Applicant’s Counsel)
Applicant
107 Wuburn Street LLC
Proposal
Variance to convert an existing nonconforming medical office into a nonconforming multifamily residential dwelling.
Key Discussion Points
- Revised site plan reducing parking spaces from 18 to 13 and decreasing pavement area
- Increased green space and installation of arborvitae buffer
- Addition of a privacy fence along the property line
- Conditions addressing trash handling and delivery hours
- Inclusion of two affordable units at 60% AMI
Public Comment
An abutter raised concerns regarding trash management and potential rodent issues; applicant committed that dumpsters would not be located along the shared property line.
Vote
✅ Approved with conditions, including updated plans showing the privacy fence
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
📢 Public Hearing & Vote – 51 Forest Street
⏰ 00:22:33 – 00:46:48
👤 Presenter(s): Richard Ai (Applicant)
Applicant
Richard Ai
Proposal
Variance to allow construction of an attached two-car garage with reduced side-yard setback on a pre-existing nonconforming lot.
Key Discussion Points
- Lot size, frontage deficiencies, and tapered lot shape
- Financial and operational hardship associated with relocating or redesigning the garage
- Estimated additional site work costs if garage were relocated
- Minimal neighborhood impact and consistency with neighborhood character
- Adjustments to window placement to protect abutter privacy
Public Comment
An abutter expressed support for the project and sought clarification on whether the variance would affect future applications on their own property; Board clarified it would not.
Vote
✅ Approved as presented
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 00:48:15 – 00:49:35
👤 Presenter(s): ZBA Members
Prior meeting minutes were approved as amended.
Vote Count: Unanimous.
🔑 Key Summary
- The ZBA unanimously continued the hearing for 90 John Carver Road to July 2026.
- A variance for 107 Woburn Street was approved, allowing conversion to multifamily residential use with conditions addressing parking, landscaping, trash, and privacy fencing.
- The Board unanimously approved a variance for 51 Forest Street to construct an attached garage with reduced setback based on demonstrated hardship.
- Public concerns were addressed through conditions and clarifications without altering approvals.
- Meeting minutes were approved as amended, and officer nominations were discussed but deferred.
