Newton’s Land Use Committee approved adding parking to a historic two-family home at 65 Clark St. on Tuesday because the driveway had sunken into the ground and become overgrown with vegetation.
“It’s been an eyesore for over a year,” said Barak Tsivikin, a Newton resident who lives near the Clark Street property.
In May, property-owner Ritesh Kochhar and contractor Vilson Santos applied for a special permit, which proposed demolishing the house’s lone driveway facing Clark Street and constructing two new driveways—one on Clark Street and one on Cloverdale Road. As it currently stands, the house has only one driveway, facing Clark Street, which is sunken into the ground and provides little space for parking, according to Kochhar.
The new driveway facing Cloverdale Road will create more parking space and replace several dead trees, as well as the overgrown vegetation that currently encompasses the lot.
The meat of Kochhar and Santos’ planned development calls for constructing a new 2 ½ story rear addition that exceeds the allowed floor-area ratio. To make the change, Santos and Kochhar applied for a special permit for the project, which is required under city law when proposing large-scale changes to a property.
Their plan received support from petitioners at Tuesday’s meeting, many of whom live within walking distance of the property.
Ela Pelish, a resident of Athelstane Road, which sits directly across from 65 Clark St., said she appreciated the city’s goal of restoring rather than demolishing the numerous historic homes littered throughout Newton.
“I want this house to be restored,” she said.“I mourn the loss of all the houses [that have been torn down].”
Ward 8 Councilor Stephen Farrell requested more information regarding the construction of the new driveway on Cloverdale Road, as well as a new retaining wall, which would force several trees in the rear of the property to be cut down.
Kochhar and Santos, however, stated that they’ve consulted with a local arborist, Thomas Miles of SavATree, who has determined that three trees set to be demolished are already dead and would need to be cut down at some point in the future. Further, the construction of the retaining wall and driveway would not damage any of the tree roots on the property. Newton’s City Forester Marc Welch confirmed the plan adheres to city law.
Ward 2 Councilor-at–Large Tarik Lucas stated on behalf of the council that the project is ready, and the committee voted unanimously to close public comment, referring the item to the full city council for a vote.
