Proposed Hampden Apartment Variances Approved

A city zoning board approved variances needed to build a proposed 10-unit apartment building in Hampden.

The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals approved the variances following a hearing on Tuesday.

The proposed development at 3400 Roland Avenue could be built by right, but developer Joseph Rabinowitz was seeking variances to allow him to build closer to the street to keep the height of the building in line with surrounding rowhomes.

Nearby neighbors and Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke because they argued it will create too much density, add to parking problems and argued it was unsafe because it would restrict the access of firefighters to an alley that runs behind the proposed apartment.

But the Hampden Community Council voted last month to support the variances.