ATHOL – The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved variances sought by Fitchburg developer K. William Krikorian for construction of more than 40 units of affordable housing on the site of the long-closed parking garage off Exchange and South streets.

The estimated cost of the investment in downtown Athol is between $12 and $15 million.

Krikorian had originally sought approval of four variances, but dropped one request after telling the board that he would no longer seek approval of the construction of several 500 square-foot units and would instead comply with zoning regulations requiring they be no smaller than 600 square feet. Accommodating the larger units necessitates reducing the overall number from 48 to 43, according to his architect, Charles Roberts.

Two of the remaining variances would allow Krikorian to construct a five-story building 54 feet in height. Athol’s zoning bylaws limit buildings in the central commercial zone to four stories and 50 feet. He also requested a variance allowing him to construct three residential units on the first floor of the building, while bylaws require the ground floor to house retail space.

Under the plan drawn up by Roberts, the first floor will indeed have space for two storefronts on South Street, but residential units will be placed behind the retail, at the rear of the building.

Board member Susan Mondi-Sykes appeared skeptical about the need to add a fifth story to the building, which would make it taller than the 50-foot zoning limit. Krikorian’s attorney Tom Bovenzi said that a fifth floor is needed to accommodate the number of units necessary to make the project economically viable.

Bovenzi also argued a deviance from the bylaw would not be a detriment to the neighborhood, that the existing dilapidated garage fails to provide any economic benefit to the area. Krikorian added that he has already reduced the number of units in the proposal from 48 to 43.

“I made a major concession,” Krikorian said. “I’ve reduced the number of units significantly. I’ve increased a number of units from 500 square feet to 600 square feet. In the spirit of cooperation, I have cooperated and I’m looking for the board to reciprocate.”

“It’s not up to the zoning board to negotiate,” Mondi-Sykes responded. “It’s the responsibility of the board to uphold the laws of the town and that’s what we intend to do. I’m just asking, what makes it so special that you need an additional floor? What it is about this piece of property that makes it so unique that, out of every place else in the area that’s limited to the fourth floor, what makes this unique?”

Bovenzi said that the site is unique in that no other location has a parking garage and that regardless of the proposal, that has to be dealt with.

“They’re going to keep the same footprint,” he said. “They’re not creating the hardship. They didn’t create what’s already there. What they’re doing is dealing with what’s already there.”

Following more discussion, the variances were approved by a unanimous vote of the board. The next step for Krikorian is an appearance before the Board of Planning and Community Development, which will need to approve the site plan for the project. Should it move past that hurdle, Krikorian told the Athol Daily News it will be 18 months before site work can begin. He said there are several state requirements that first must satisfied before he gets the final go-ahead.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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