NORWOOD – Originally approved in February, applicant Sean Murphy appeared before the Norwood Planning Board last Monday to propose several amendments to the conversion of 699 Washington Street.
The Norwood Center property is undergoing several changes after their bid for historical designation had failed due to a change to the interior ceiling height. According to Murphy, the building would have been deemed a historical site had the previous owners maintained the original 30-foot ceilings in the main lobby. This failed designation appears to have given the developers the freedom to move forward with interior design changes like new windows and unit conversions.
Thus, Murphy, who says he’s representing his father James, proposed additional residential living space. He proposed the addition of three new windows on the sides of the building, a move that will allow for the conversion of two existing units into units with more bedrooms. Specifically, one studio unit will become a two-bedroom apartment, and a one-bedroom-plus-den will be converted into a two-bedroom apartment by making the den a legitimate bedroom. This change will increase the total number of bedrooms across the eight-unit development from 13 to 15. The unit breakdown will shift from five two-bedrooms and three one-bedrooms/studios to seven two-bedrooms and one one-bedroom.
As such, this increase in bedrooms necessitates a change in the required parking minimum, which will rise from 10.50 spaces to 11.50 spaces. The good news for residents and the town is that the property will still maintain 16 parking spaces, exceeding the new required minimum of 12 spaces.
The parking layout, which includes the “drive-thru” loop around the building, remains a point of discussion. Murphy confirmed that of the 16 onsite spaces, four will be designated for commercial use and 12 will be reserved for residential tenants. The plan is to implement clear signage to designate spaces and discourage retail patrons from parking in residential spots.
The ongoing demolition has given the development team a better understanding of the building’s structure, allowing for an internal shift of a bathroom in the basement area. This slight reconfiguration will expand the project’s commercial footprint adding another 500 square feet of additional space in the basement, which will be utilized to expand the commercial area.
The planning board will now deliberate on the proposed amendments, which aim to maximize the utility of the building, increase the residential capacity, and expand the available commercial space without increasing congestion or disturbing the uniqueness that is Norwood Center. -RD