Zoning Board Reverses Vote, OKs Grove Street Storage

Zoning Board · Meeting of September 23, 2026

WATERTOWN — The Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals reversed a failed vote and approved a self-storage conversion at 64 Grove Street, 5-0. The board's initial roll call on David Williams's SDG Development LLC proposal came back 3-2, which the board announced as not approved; Member Gerard then moved to reconsider, passing 4-1, and a second vote on the special permit cleared 5-0. Attorney Bill York told the board "this is a use that is needed by the community," citing six years of vacancy and the Planning Board's unanimous September 9 recommendation.

Williams estimated the converted building's annual property tax at roughly $170,000. Member Baker objected throughout, arguing the site near Coolidge Square transit should go to life science or light industrial tenants instead. The board separately approved a shed dormer at 152 Robbins Road 5-0 and continued a two-family renovation special permit at 4850 California Street to October 28.

In the full story:

• Administrative Business
• 4850 California Street: Two-Family Renovation and FAR Relief
• 64 Grove Street: Self-Storage Conversion and a Reconsidered Vote
• 152 Robbins Road: Shed Dormer Special Permit
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,512 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.