HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-16 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTown of Reading
w Meeting Minutes
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
63s;
/dtGORQO �
READING. MASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Zoning Board of Appeals `
Date: 2015 -04 -16 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Traniello, John Jarema, Damase Caouette, Erik Hagstrom
Members - Not Present:
Robert Redfern, Kathleen Hackett, Glen Redmond
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
ZBA Case # 15 -04
A Public Hearing on the petition of Thomas F. Wise, Trustee, who seeks a Special Permit under
Section(s) 5.3.2 & 5.4.7.2 of the zoning bylaws in order to make alterations and construct an
addition to the existing single family dwelling and to create an Accessory Apartment on the
property located at 181 South Street in Reading, Massachusetts.
Mr. Traniello called the meeting to order.
Tonight's meeting will be hearing case #15 -04 and he noted that all abutters were notified along
with the appropriate boards and committees.
Mr. Traniello swore in Mr. Wise.
Mr. Traniello made it known that two members were missing, one was unavailable tonight and
one recused herself due to potential conflict.
Mr. Wise noted he is waiving his right for a fifth person.
Mr. Wise took the floor to explain his proposal. He said his wife's parents can no longer live by
themselves for health reasons. His intentions are to use the addition as an in -law apartment. He
noted the building inspector did not see any problems. His second driveway was already
approved by the Selectmen.
Mr. Wise noted he is obeying the bylaw to be an accessory apartment. The bylaw requires that
there only be one apartment on the property, which he stated is correct. He stated he is within all
Page i 1
the zoning limits for the size of the accessory apartment. The owner must be living on the
property and he stated he will be.
The property must maintain the appearance of a single family dwelling and Mr. Wise noted that
is up to interpretation but he believes it still does. He said all the stairs are internal and they will
be adding an entrance. However, it will be on the side of the apartment and not on the front of
the house.
The driveway was already approved by the Board of Selectmen. The water is staying on the
public system. The bylaw states that no more than 3 people may occupy the accessory apartment
and he noted that there will only be 2.
Mr. Jarema noted the building inspector has not been out to inspect yet. He also said his numbers
do not add up and asked Mr. Wise to please help verify those.
Mr. Wise said the "gross" definition his architect interpreted as gross basement, first floor, and
the second floor is a different size because it's a cape so the second floor is not the same as the
first.
Mr. Jarema asked if he could review the bedroom numbers.
Mr. Wise said it is 193 square feet, net not gross, not including the closet. The net equals the
bedroom, kitchen, and living room. The actual calculations are a little less than what the architect
came out with. After doing another calculation, Mr. Wise noted all the architect calculations are
a little over than the actual.
Mr. Jarema made note that there is a "shared study /sunroom" but it is not allowed to have any
common spaces. He said there needs to be a separate and distinct stairway to the basement.
Mr. Wise explained the basement is not a finished basement, it is just necessary for the
foundation. He also said at previous meetings nothing was ever said about separate and distinct
doorways and it is no different than what was previously presented.
Mr. Jarema said there is a difference between an in -law and accessory apartment.
Mr. Wise noted the door between the apartments will be locked.
Mr. Caouette said the only thing he didn't really like was the second driveway but that was
already approved by the Board of Selectmen so he sees nothing else.
Mr. Wise said he was worried about getting approval for the second driveway but he feels it still
fits the neighborhood as well as some other houses near him that have 2 driveways.
Mr. Hagstrom asked Mr. Wise if he has any concerns about the fact that a second driveway is not
allowed to have cars in the front yard.
Mr. Wise noted the driveway is on the side yard and the driveway is technically on Walnut
Street, therefore it is not in the front yard.
Mr. Traniello said Building Inspector Glen Redmond wrote a letter to the Board stating that he
sees no problems in this case. Mr. Traniello then asked Mr. Wise if the in -laws have any
disabilities and is that why they are adding this accessory apartment.
Page 1 2
Mr. Wise said they have no legal disabilities so ramps are not needed. The only thing they are
doing is putting in a walk -in shower so they do not fall.
Mr. Traniello opened the meeting up to public comment.
Tom Foxon of 230 Walnut Street said he was confused on the difference between in -law and
accessory apartments and also asked what happens when the in -laws are gone. Can the apartment
be rented and what about when the house is sold.
Mr. Traniello said there is no real difference between in -law vs. accessory but the word
accessory is what's being used in this case. He noted there are restrictions on what you can do
with an accessory apartment but none on renting. There is currently no real process if the house
is sold. They can ask the new owner what he plans to do with the apartment and if there is
concern they can bring it back to the board to look into it.
Gary Juffre of 189 South Street wanted to say he has no issues with this and he thinks Mr. Wise
is doing it for the right reasons. He also thinks it will be a nice addition to the neighborhood and
would not negatively affect it.
Mr. Jarema noted single family homes sell better in Reading. People move to Reading for single
family homes. We don't want to make it too easy to make a 2 family house from a single family
dwelling and the line needs to be drawn somewhere.
Mr. Traniello said the Bylaw tried to simplify the process and make it easier so we can control
the multifamily homes and get a more accurate count of multifamily homes in Reading.
Mr. Caouette made a motion to grant the Special Permit, seconded by Mr. Hagstrom.
Mr. Hagstrom withdrew his second, and Mr. Caouette withdrew his motion.
Mr. Traniello read and put a letter on record from Michael and Leanne Webb opposing this case.
Mr. Caouette made a motion to grant the Special Permit, seconded by Mr. Hagstrom and
approved with a 3 -1 vote with Mr. Jarema opposing.
Mr. Jarema made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 PM, seconded by Mr. Caouette and approved with
a 4 -0 vote.
Page 1 3