Zoning board approves Kowloon redevelopment variances

Other Committee · Meeting of August 27, 2026

SAUGUS — The Saugus Board of Appeals approved a sweeping package of zoning variances clearing the way for the Wong family's redevelopment of the Kowloon restaurant site on Route 1 into two mixed-use buildings with roughly 199 apartments. Attorney Richard Magdon told the board the project required relief from 17 sections of the town's 2015 Route 1 corridor bylaw, Article 21, calling it "a little obtuse." Engineer Paul Meshonda walked the board through parking, access and drive-through variances, including cutting required queuing spaces from seven to four, subject to review in 48 months. In a separate case, the board voted 5-0 to uphold the building inspector's decision against Ahmed Hamda and Stephanie Scores over a 24 Ballard Street fence exceeding height limits near an intersection, with attorney Sean Regan arguing "the violation rests on no measurement when a measurement is required." The board also approved an accessory dwelling unit variance at 22 Howard Street and a 4-1 lot-line variance for 214-218 Hamilton Street.

In the full story:

• Meshonda walked the board through variance requests grouped by topic
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,614 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of August 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.