2012-06-07 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes

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Town of Reading ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes of June 7, 2012 Members Present: Jeffrey Perkins, Chairman John Jarema Kristin Cataldo Damase Caouette Robert Redfern John Miles Members Absent: None A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts, beginning at 7:00 P.M. Case # 12 -08 A Public Hearing on the petition of Edward Newton who seeks a Special Permit and a Variance under Section(s) 4.3.2.8 & 4.3.2.8.2a of the zoning bylaws in order to create an accessory apartment on the property located at 43 Belmont Street in Reading, MA. Edward Newton wants to add an accessory apartment with a kitchen to his house so that his son can use it. He needed the addition to the house to be occupied since 1982 in order to add an accessory apartment and that is why he is asking for the Variance from this zoning bylaw. He bought the main house from his mother's estate and has lived there since 1978. Also the necessaries are there for his son to make him comfortable. Mr. Newton presented what he thought were the four required criteria in order to be granted a Variance. The accessory apartment area will be similar to a "studio apartment" with an enclosed bedroom and bath. All renovations will be made to the interior of the dwelling only. Ms. Cataldo asked for some explanation as to the conditions of this property that would allow a Variance to be granted. The Applicant said the proposed apartment kitchen area is going into the portion of the house that was part of the original house. Ms. Cataldo reminded Mr. Newton that he also needed to be granted a Special Permit. The other Board members reviewed the requirements and the zoning bylaws and thought even though the apartment is being built in both the pre 1982 and post 1982 sections of the house, the dwelling at this address has been occupied since before 1982. MGL Chapter 48 is very specific about the criteria and makes it difficult for the Board to grant a Variance for that section of the bylaw. ZBA Meeting, June 7, 2012