Swampscott Zoning Board of Appeals approves apartments at KofC building

SWAMPSCOTT – Absent voting members from the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on June 20 at the Swampscott Senior Center meant a unanimous vote was needed from each of the four members present, causing many of the petitions to be continued to the July 18 or August 15 meetings.That didn?t stop Phil Brienze and David Haliotis from putting forward their proposal to amend renovation plans for the old Knights of Columbus on Burrill Street into a seven-unit apartment building. Their risk rewarded them with the unanimous vote needed, though Chair Marc Kornitsky first advised them to continue their petition to the next meeting because he said their plans “weren?t the clearest.”?I can tell you primarily I don?t know if I understood all the plans,” said Kornitsky.According to Town Planner Pete Kane, the property was first approved for renovation into the apartment building a year ago, but since had changed ownership. Now under ownership of Brienze, the plan was still approved but he and his architect wished to amend the original plan.Under the new approved plan, larger windows will be added to the building for “life and safety issues” according to Haliotis, as well as an extra door on the first level. Brienze said some shrubs that didn?t belong to the property would be removed, the dumpster site would be changed, and some other work would be done.According to Town Planner Pete Kane, architect Haliotis and owner Brienze did not submit a full application at the previous meeting. However, after shuffling through some papers, Kornitsky and the other three voting members understood what changes would be made.Associate voting member Douglas Dubin seemed to speak for the rest of the board when he pointed out that because the windows were for “life and safety” issues, the decision to vote positively was a no-brainer.After hearing what changes would be made, Kornitsky made sure that the look of the building would keep to the standard of the street before moving to a vote. “I?m concerned with the front ? it has the most visibility,” he said. “You need to pay more attention and use more expensive materials on the front.”After Brienze agreed to use a wood or wood equivalent on the front, the board voted and approved the plans.The only comment from the audience was an agreeable one. Marilyn Axelrod of 213 Burrill Street said she had been present at every discussion of the renovation. “He?s got a plan and he?s actually doing the plan,” said Axelrod about Brienze. “I?m in support – it?s happening.”Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].