Whitman Zoning Board Approves Four-Unit Conversion at 16 Washington Street

WHITMAN -- March 2, 2026, Whitman Zoning Board approves four-unit conversion at deteriorated Washington Street farmhouse on 4-1 vote. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted variances Monday to 16 Washington Street LLC, allowing the owners to convert a circa-1800 two-family home, which had an unpermitted third unit in use at the time of purchase, into a four-unit apartment building on a 21,278-square-foot lot in an A2 residential district. Chair John Goldrosen and members Richard Blosz, Winnett, and Keeman voted in favor; Kimball dissented, citing neighborhood density and the estimated $50,000 cost of the full sprinkler system now required under state fire code. Conditions include eliminating one parking space along the southern property line, adding a sixth space in the rear lot, extending a fence along the south side to screen rear parking from a neighboring property, prohibiting any future accessory dwelling unit, and barring conversion of the basement to living space. The board also held a non-binding informal discussion on a proposed 157-unit modular apartment complex at 66 Pond Street, an industrial brownfield near the Whitman commuter rail station, but no application has been filed.