1987-10-21 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes

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r' ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS READING, MA MINUTES - OCTOBER 21, 1987 Members Present: Chairman Quimby Board of Appeals Street, Reading, t-Catherine Quimby Stephen Tucker Ardith Wieworka /V C opened the scheduled general public hearing of the Zoning at 7:45 PM in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 6 Lowell MA. Mr. Joseph Machnowski was the first petitioner to come before the Board this evening to seek a Special Permit for the construction of an accessory apartment at his residence located at 407 Woburn Street, Reading, MA. Catherine Quimby began by reading the names of those who were notified of the petition and then turned the floor over to Mr. Machnowski for his comments. It was also mentioned that the members of the Board had visited the property to get the full idea of what was intended. Mr. Machnowski stated he was not familiar with all by-laws associated with an accessory apartment but had read the two by-laws referenced in the letter he received from the Building Inspector applicable to his case. The two major questions in this case were 1) the second egress; was it in violation of Section 601 of the State Building Code? and, 2) parking and driveway shown on plan. Mr. Machnowski stated that after learning from the Building Inspector just a few hours earlier that his access was in violation of the State Code, he modified his plans by changing the location of the second means of egress. He reviewed his new proposal with the Board drawing new location on plan. New location brings the stairway from the apartment down the back of the garage and out to his property on the northerly side. He explained that he would have to construct a solid wall along the back of the garage to provide for stairs, and once outside, he would install fencing to create a corridor effect for passage to the driveway. He felt fencing was essential for safety reasons due to the location of his pool in this area. Considerable discussion ensued with regard to his proposal for parking and the intention of the Zoning By-laws. Was Summer Ave a front or side yard? Indeed all members agreed that it was the Machnowski's side yard, but his immediate abuttor's front yard. The language contained within the by-laws was reviewed section by section. Mr. Machnowski indicated to the Board that should they determine that he could not have additional parking as requested, he would pursue through Town Meeting to have the by-law amended to clarify this issue. He specifically asked for guidance as to procedure to pursue this issue.