A petition to construct new dwellings on 63 Oak St. was passed at a Zoning Board meeting Wednesday night.

There are two existing houses already on the property, one of which is encroaching on the street. At its rear is a second house that is substantially smaller in size at only 400 square feet.

Bradley M. Bertolo of JC Engineering, Inc. proposed moving the larger house away from the street and reconstructing the second smaller house so it is more consistent with the neighboring houses.

Some issues with the current buildings include floor elevation issues and confined living space.

The original owner of the property, Leah Abbot, provided some insight into the buildings’ original construction, as her husband’s parents purchased the land in 1938.

Abbot said the original residence included the street-facing house and a small garage. Over the years as the family grew, additions were created as needed.

Community members agreed that the new housing structures would be beneficial to the neighborhood.

“These people are trying to make something bad better,” said community member Roger Amarals.

Board member Wilma Engerman approved the proposal, stipulating that the street-facing house must be a one bedroom home with no second floor. The motion was approved by the rest of the board.