HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-01 Zoning Board of Appeals Minuteser' �e Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2021-07-01
Building:
Address:
Purpose:
Attendees:
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:
Session:
Version: Final
RECEIVED
TOWN"CLERK
READING, MA. c�'
2021 SEP 15 AM 11: 19
Members - Present:
Hillary Mateev, Jamie Maughan, Cynde Hartman, Alex Normandin
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Staff Planner Andrew MacNichol, Erich Georgs, Yvonne Georgs
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew MacNichol
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Maughan called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM.
Case #21-08-409 Haverhill Street
Mr. Maughan opened the public hearing for Case #21-08, 409 Haverhill Street. He read the legal
notice into the record and swore in members of the public wishing to speak on the application.
Mr. Erich Georgs and Ms. Yvonne Georgs, homeowners, were present on behalf of the
application.
Mr. Maughan informed the Applicants that while the Building Commissioner was not present at
the hearing a letter was submitted from him. Mr. MacNichol read the letter into the record
which indicated that the proposal required a Special Permit as no new non -conformities will be
made, but an existing legal non -conforming setback will be extended.
Mr. Georgs stated that the existing deck is not very useful and is deteriorating. The proposal is
to reconstruct a larger deck, as well as an elevated addition. He continued that Haverhill Street
is quite busy and they would like to utilize their backyard more due to such.
Mr. Normandin asked if the existing deck is the triangular shape shown on the plan. Mr. Georgs
replied in the affirmative and added that he does have pictures of such if needed. Mr. Georgs
added that a line of evergreen trees exists along the property line where the structure is
encroaching, which helps screen the addition. He continued that letters of support were
provided from both direct abutters to the property.
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Mr. Normandin asked if the existing deck had a non -conforming side -yard setback. Mr. Georgs
answered that the existing deck had a conforming setback of fifteen -feet (15'). Mr. Normandin
stated that with the letters of support from abutters he was supportive of the application.
Ms. Hartman asked how much longer the new deck is versus the existing. Mr. Georgs replied it
will be extended by about five -feet (5'). Ms. Hartman stated that she appreciated the letters of
support as well and found the proposal appropriate.
Ms. Mateev stated that the existing landscape screening is very helpful. She asked if the deck
and addition were elevated to the second -floor level. Mr. Georgs replied in the affirmative. Ms.
Mateev asked if the dwelling was single-family or if anyone lived below on the first -floor. She
looked to ensure that the impacts on the house were appropriate. Mr. Georgs answered that
the deck would be at the second -floor level, thus the posts for the deck would be viewable
from the first -floor windows; all those within the dwelling found the impact minimal.
Mr. Maughan asked what the third dotted line on the plot plan indicated. Mr. Georgs stated
that a stone wall previously existed per prior plans and records found. He continued that this
wall hardly exists anymore. Mr. Georgs continued that a developer previously looked to
develop land off of Wells Road and a survey was done for such to determine lot lines. He
continued that also in the past, a fence survey was also done in conjunction with the abutter.
No definitive proof was found that this dotted line was the limits of his land.
Mr. Maughan asked if the proposed deck is the same elevation as the existing. Mr. Georgs
replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Maughan opened the hearing to public comment. Seeing none, Mr. Maughan closed the
public comment portion of the hearing.
Ms. Mateev made a motion to approve the Special permit request for Case #11.08 — 409
Haverhill Street as presented. Mr. Normandin seconded the motion and it was approved 4.0-
0.
Other Business
Board Reorganization
Ms. Hartman nominated Ms. Mateev as Co -Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr.
Normandin seconded the nomination and Ms. Mateev accepted. The nomination was approved
4-0-0.
Ms. Mateev nominated Mr. Maughan as Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Hartman
seconded the nomination and Mr. Maughan accepted. The nomination was approved 4-0-0.
Zoning Amendment Hearing
Ms. Mateev stated that she received a notice of a public hearing regarding proposed zoning
amendments, she asked if more detail could be provided. Mr. MacNichol answered that the
Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) has scheduled a public hearing to
discuss proposed changes to the Site Plan Review and Minor Site Plan Review triggers within
the Zoning Bylaw. He continued that the goal is to capture more Change of Uses that currently
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do not trigger a formal review. Ms. Mateev asked if the Zoning Board will be impacted. Mr.
MacNichol replied in the negative.
Future Meetings
Mr. MacNichol stated that previous discussions were held on the allowance of the Board
holding hybrid meetings. Such would allow both in-person and remote participation from the
Board, applicants and members of the public. Mr. MacNichol stated that at this point in time it
was unlikely that the Select Board Meeting Room, where the Board meets, would be retrofitted
for hybrid technology due to the cost of such. This means the Board would need to meet either
entirely in-person, or entirely remotely.
Ms. Mateev informed the Board that she will not be available in August due to being out of the
country. The Board found that adding an additional meeting on July 29`^ would allow additional
applications to be scheduled before September. It was confirmed that a hearing date would be
scheduled for July 291^.
Meeting Minutes
5/20/21
Mr. Normandin made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of May 20, 2021. Ms. Mateev
seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
6/3/21
Ms. Mateev made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of lune 3, 2021 as amended. Mr.
Normandin seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Mateev, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the Zoning Board of Appeals
moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:42PM.
Vote was 4-0-0
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