Special permit request draws concerns from abutters

By Barbara Taormina

The City Council held a public hearing on Nicholas Giacobbe’s application for a special permit to renovate a non-conforming dwelling at the back of his property at 164 Harris St. into a one- or two-bedroom rental unit.

Attorney Lawrence Simeone, who represented Giacobbe at the council meeting, said the dwelling was a cottage built back in 1924. Simeone said Giacobbe wants to fix the building, and add to the value of his property. “We feel it would be in the best interest of the neighborhood and the owner,” Simeone told councillors.

But Giacobbe’s neighbors and several councillors didn’t agree.

John Colleran, whose property abuts Giacobbe’s property, spoke against the proposal.

“I’m against this, this property is falling down, there’s no foundation, it’s ready to fall over, it’s an eye sore,” said Colleran. “It’s two to four feet from my property and it would impede on my privacy.”

Mark Mattera, who also has property that abuts Giacobbe’s, wanted to know about the height of the renovated dwelling and the use of the garage.

Councillor-At-Large Gerry Visconti said what was being described as a cottage might also be called a shack. Visconti said he worried about setting a precedent for other property owners with similar backyard structures.

Councillor-At-Large Dan Rizzo also expressed concerns and noted the opposition of a direct abutter was a significant drawback.

Council President Pro Tempore Joanne McKenna said she went down to look at the property and found it uninhabitable. She said it should be torn down and that she was troubled by how close it was to Colleran’s property.

The council referred Giacobbe’s application to the zoning subcommittee meeting on Dec. 4. Ward 3   Councillor Anthony Cogliandro said in the meantime he would work with Giacobbe to contact neighbors to see what concerns they might have about the proposal.