HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-24 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesIT
Town of Reading
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Minutes of May 24, 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. Also in attendance
were Glen Redmond, Commissioner of Buildings, and Gary Brackett, Town Counsel.
Case # 12 -06
A continuation of a Public Hearing on the petition of Steven L. Cicatelli, representing the Owner
of the property and Applicant, who seeks a Variance under Section(s) 5.0 of the zoning bylaws
in order to construct a new single family residential dwelling on a nonconforming lot on the
property located at 60 Mount Vernon Street in Reading, MA. This lot is located in a S -15
District.
Attorney Steven Cicatelli reviewed the history of the case and property. The new buyer would
like to build a single family dwelling on the current existing vacant lot. The new side setbacks
will be made even on both sides of the lot as opposed to the original dwelling, that was
previously demolished, that was located almost on the property line on one side. The proposed
setback requirements of the new dwelling will not be met on the front or two (2) sides but will be
met in the rear yard.
Attorney Cicatelli met with the abutters and also consulted with a landscape architect to design
for some privacy on the side yards for the new owner as well as for the abutters, with enough
trees to provide privacy.
Attorney Cicatelli presented what he thought were the four criteria required in order for the
property to be granted a Variance. He said this new home was a far better use of this empty lot
for the neighborhood than leaving it vacant, and would improve property values for all
homeowners in the area.
The Building Inspector said he thought the presented plan was a good proposal for the lot.
ZBA Meeting, May 24, 2012
The members of the Board gave their separate opinions and asked some questions that were
answered by Attorney Cicatelli. Attorney Cicatelli reminded the Board that the applicant was not
asking for a Variance regarding elevation. This had been a concern of the abutters who were
worried about the overall height of the house. The proposed dwelling will stay within the by -law
requirements for elevation and building height.
Mostly, the overall opinion of the Board was that this proposal was a good fit for the lot and the
neighborhood. One Board member had concerns about drainage after reviewing the
topographical plans for the site. The drainage and stormwater runoff controls will have to be
approved by the Town Engineer before a building permit can be issued.
Bo Garrison of 11 Jaden Terrace voiced his concerns about the proposal and Attorney Cicatelli
responded.
Al Jolson of 72 Mount Vernon Street voiced his concerns about the proposal.
Brian Edmonds of 56 Mount Vernon Street voiced his concerns about the proposal.
Attorney Cicatelli said he could provide a letter agreeing to the requests made by the abutters
that would be signed by the abutters so it could be made a condition of the Variance.
On a motion by Damase Caouette, seconded by John Jarema, the Zoning Board of Appeals
moved to grant the Applicant a variance under Section 5.0 of the Zoning by -laws in order to
construct a new, single family dwelling as depicted on the Certified Plot Plan and referenced site
plans and architectural plans.
The vote was 4 in favor (Perkins, Jarema, Cataldo, and Caouette) and 1 opposed (Redfern).
On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Damase Caouette, the Zoning Board of Appeals
moved to close the public hearing at 8:10 PM and to open in Executive Session.
Vote was 6 -0 -0 (Perkins, Jarema, Redfem, Miles, Caouette, and Cataldo).
Jpectfully submit
Ma en M. Knight
Recording Secretao
ZBA Meeting, May 24, 2012