Plans to tear down a Front Street building to create a parking lot while preserving its façade have been approved on appeal.

The proposal suggested retaining the façade of 117 Front Street and creating 31 new parking spaces behind it, which would be accessed from Reid Street.

While the developers said there was a need for additional parking spaces in the City, a report by a technical officer said the proposed change could worsen traffic in the area and the plans were rejected by the Development Applications Board.

However, in a decision letter signed in December, Crystal Caesar, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, allowed the project to move ahead.

“I am satisfied that the proposal will provide an upgraded parking lot to support the needs of retail establishments and businesses in the area, and will improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow on Front Street,” she wrote.

“I also note that the proposal will retain the historical Front Street building frontage and veranda, and will improve the visual appearance of the Reid Street frontage.

“For these reasons, I consider this proposal to align with the main objectives of the Historical and Retail District as designated in the City of Hamilton Plan 2015.

“I note the Corporation of Hamilton’s concerns regarding certain elements of the parking lot design and these are addressed as planning conditions attached to this planning approval.”

The conditions include that parallel disabled parking bays on the site be at least 18ft in length, and that the location and type of parking barrier arm must ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic.

According to the Bermuda’s Architectural Heritage Series, 117 Front Street was one of several lots on the eastern part of Front Street originally earmarked for government buildings.

The property was purchased by Richard F. Peniston in 1810, with the building erected on the site sometime between then and 1819.

While the building did not originally include a veranda, a wooden structure was later added and subsequently replaced by a concrete one.

The application, submitted last year, argued that the building was “structurally compromised” and in a state of disrepair.

The DAB, however, found that the plans went against policy in that it would not encourage sustainable, mixed-use development and could worsen traffic congestion.

The board also found that insufficient information had been provided to show the need for a private parking lot in the area.