The single mother considered the Carew Street lot to be ideal as her disabled son would be close to Mercy Hospital.
SPRINGFIELD – Emily Montalvo smiled through her tears on Wednesday after learning that the city has agreed to her plans to build a home on Carew Street after initially saying the ranch style planned was unacceptable.
She received the unofficial word of approval as she was driving to a late-morning press conference that was scheduled by herself, family members, friends, and supporters, including representatives of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
“I got emotional quick,” Montalvo said of the news. “I’m so excited. I look forward to seeing my home for my kids. They deserve it.”
Montalvo said she is a single working mother with five children including a 13-year-old son with a life threatening disability.
The home planned at 379 Carew St., will be just a couple of minutes from Mercy Hospital, and the ranch style of the home would permit easy access for paramedics if needed, said Angel J. Silvestrini, board vice-president for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
Montalvo had purchased the vacant lot on Carew Street months ago from the city at a tax-title auction and submitted plans to build the house. Last week, she learned the plans were not being accepted, and financing was scheduled to expire Thursday.
The Planning Department stated that it would recommend denial of plans, believing the ranch style did not fit well with the larger, 2 1/2 story homes that were predominant in the neighborhood.
