Billerica ZBA Denies Two Village Zone Lot-Split Variances Over Flooding Fears

BILLERICA -- March 19, 2025, Billerica's Board of Appeals denied two Village Residence zone lot-split variances on stormwater grounds while approving three other petitions at its March 19 meeting. The board voted 4-1 to deny a variance sought by Mary Ann Wolfe at 10 Polaruck Avenue, where she and her disabled husband sought to build an accessible single-story home on a split lot; multiple abutters testified to chronic basement flooding, with Robert Jeffords of 35 Franklin Street warning of a "double hit" from added impervious surface. A second lot-split request at 292-295 Andover Road was also denied 4-1 after a 40-year resident said perk tests in the area fail "pretty much every year." The board unanimously approved a tandem garage addition at 27 Wilson Street, a lot split on Middlesex Turnpike conditioned on no access to Thistle Lane in perpetuity, presented by attorney Jim DeAgora to help defray $14,000-per-month care costs for property owner John Ludd, and a special permit for home reconstruction at 5 Day Street for Katherine Alibi. Two hearings on Salem Street and Boston Road properties were continued to April 16 pending written withdrawal by the applicant's counsel.