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Some neighbors have been concerned that the allegedly "well-connected to the planning department" owner of 55 Manchester may be sneaking a six-family apartment into a two-unit building.

What we do know for certain: the building was sold on 9/18/2008 to the current owner. It had been unoccupied since before 2003 when there were multiple complaints filed with the Department of Building Inspection. The building has 13 rooms and 6 bathrooms according to the Assessor's rolls. The building characteristics were changed in August of 1999 according to real estate databases. But we don't know what those changes were.

We spoke to someone at the planning department who said there appears to be some discrepancies in the permits for 55 Manchester, as the assessors office does indeed show that it is a 2-unit building now, but there are also past references to it being a 6-family unit.

Further online research finds this building inspection report for 55 Manchester:

Permit and old file research reveals that this property was originally a 2 unit building. In 1943 permit #71899 was obtained to convert building to an apartment house of an unknown number of units (at least 4) but this permit was aparently never finalized. In 1964, permit #301752 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. In 1966 permit #330310 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. Several records from the 1960's in microfiche indicate that the Department personel belived the building to be a legal 5 unit building. I assume that this is based on permit #71899 from 1943, but that permit does not appear to have been finilized and there is no CFC. HIS Input Form shows 6 legal apartments and 1 dwelling. This is incorrect, an apartment is a dwelling so this would mean 7 dwellings. It appears from inspections done that there were never more than 6 dwelling units in the building.
It appears that there were 6 apartments in this building at one time. Several of these apartments no longer have full kitchens but it appears that they once did.

The current owner is in the process of of improving the property and has several building permits approved. Some of the permits reference complying with notices of violation for dilapidated housing, unsafe stairs, hazardous building.

The property is Zoned as a RH-2 (residential- house, two family).

We'd like to hear from neighbors who oppose this! You can leave an anonymous comment (link below). In the mean time, we do know that there was a complaint filed over "Exceeding scope of permit 200809192095: Shoring installed and building has been raised.". [Editor's note: An additional permit 200811045805 does allow the shoring to be installed.]

Here are most of the permits for the property:

Permit 200809192095 issued 9/19/2008: remove lath & plaster, rewire, repair plumbing, install gyp board, install new doors & windows @ rear install new trim & casing. Remodel kitchens (2) & baths(4) . Repair dryrot, paint comply w/nov#2000338855 items 2.3.4.5. Reroof

Permit 200811045805 issued 11/04/2008: temporary shoring for dry-rot repair

Plumbing permit pp20081015138 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, & 3rd floors: remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry. Repipe entire bldg.

Permit 200902061555 issued 2/9/2009: install 28 head fire sprinkler system in basement stairs & hallway

Electrical permit E200810152481 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, 3 floors: 24 lights, 20 switches, 42 receptacles, 4 fans, 2 dishwasher, 2 garbage disposal, microwaves, 2 gas ranges, 2 hydro-massage tubs, 8 smoke detectorsl remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry, 6 bedrooms , and 2 living rooms. Rewire entire building and 2 new meter panels, 1 house meter. Rough and finish inspections.

Electrical permit E200810313185 Issued 10/31/2008: Roof: roof: 8 roof-mounted solar pv modules; 230 watts per module; 1 interactive inverter; 3300 kw power ratings (each); total no. Of ratings: 2 kw; additional comments: 2 identical systems

Search for Permit and Complaint Info here

Labels: construction, Planning, Zoning