Planning Board backs self-storage conversion at 64 Grove Street

Planning Board · Meeting of September 9, 2026

Watertown Planning Board unanimously backs turning a vacant Grove Street lab building into self-storage. The board recommended the Zoning Board of Appeals grant Storage and Distribution Group a special permit to convert 64 Grove Street, empty five years, into an Extra Space-managed facility, with a new path to the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway. City Councilor Nicole Gardner testified in support, calling the project "an asset to the community" and pressing for overnight parking access during winter bans; the site's 57 spaces far exceed the 13 required for storage use.

Board member Sarah Scott questioned leftover tandem parking spaces, saying "it just seems like whoever's going to use" them doesn't benefit, and urged more tree planting. A third resident, Angie Cunellis, said the project would be the area's third self-storage facility within a mile and a half. The board amended conditions to add public art and wayfinding consideration.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,980 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.