2013-04-04 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes

Home Browse Search

oulA LRV, Town of Reading ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes of April 4, 2013 Members Present: Damase Caouette, Chairman John Jarema Robert Redfern John Miles David Traniello Kathleen Hackett 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. Also in attendance was Glen Redmond, Commissioner of Buildings. Case # 13 -04 A Public Hearing on the petition of Michael & Mary Belmonte who seek a Variance and a Special Permit under Section(s) 4.2.2 and 6.3.8. Lb of the zoning bylaws in order to demolish an existing non - conforming single family dwelling and to construct a new two family dwelling on the property located at 172 Washington Street in Reading, Massachusetts. Attorney Brad Latham presented the history of the property. The lot has over 23,000 square feet of land. The property is in a dilapidated condition. It has been used as a single family dwelling with 8 rooms. It was eight rooms prior to 1942 so they are entitled to turn this into a two family although they have not done so. The floor joist is an old tree trunk without any footings and there is a dirt floor. All the plumbing and electrical infrastructure needs to be replaced. The overall condition of everything is very poor. They can demolish and rebuild a larger two family dwelling with a Special Permit. It is technically not a current two family so that is why they are before the Board and asking for a Variance also. Attorney Latham presented the proposal for the new two family dwelling and why he thinks the four criteria necessary for a Variance are met. The Building Inspector said by right this could be converted to a two- family dwelling and therefore that should be assumed when they then demolish and rebuild a new two - family dwelling. Mr. Jarema said the assessor's cards show it as a 7 room dwelling but the Building Inspector said he inspected the dwelling and there were clearly nine rooms plus hallways. ZBA Meeting, April 4, 2013