3.5 Rear Buffum Street Statement of GroundsThe Applicant, the owner of 3 ½ R Buffum Street, Salem MA, seeks a special permit per Section 3.35 of
the Salem Zoning Ordinance to change a non-conforming single family residence into a non-conforming
two-family residence on a non-conforming lot.
The Applicant will not be making any revisions to the footprint of the residence. The changes only
consist of interior changes. The Applicant will also be adding 3 addition parking spaces. The conversion
of the Premises into a two-family residence will not be substantially more detrimental than the existing
non-conforming structure.
The Applicant further provides the following additional information in order for this Board to make its
required findings for a special permit.
1. Social, economic, or community needs are served by this proposal. The proposal will improve
the exterior look of the current structure. It will also provide an additional housing opportunity
and enhance the value of the Premises.
2. Traffic flow and safety, including parking and loading: Positive impact is expected. The Premises
currently has one parking spot. Three additional parking spaces will be located behind the
structure, which will alleviate street parking and be more ascetically pleasing for neighbors as all
the vehicles will no longer be parked on the street. Right now, with only one space, one car
from the residence needs to be parked on the street.
3. Adequate utilities and other public services already service the structure.
4. Impacts on the natural environment, including drainage.s, it provides There is no impact as the
proposed footprint is identical to the current footprint.
5. Neighborhood character. There will be no change to the footprint of the current structure. The
moving of the entrance to the front of the Premises will be consistent with other houses in the
neighborhood. The Premises is in a R2 zone and this will not change the character of the
neighborhood.
6. Potential fiscal impact, including impact on the City tax base and employment. There will be a
positive fiscal impact on the City tax base as the value of the Premises will increase with these
improvements. There is also a potential positive impact on City employment. The residence is
located 0.4 miles from the Salem T Station, a short walk that would be less than 10 minutes.
Thus, it provides additional housing sorely needed near public transportation and downtown
Salem.