HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-17 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes��; OFq�O'
Meeting Minutes
Town of Reading
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Board - committee - commission - council:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2021-06-17
Building:
Address:
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:
Session:
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
TOWNECLERK
READING, MA.0r/
2021 SEP 15 AM I I: 19
Robert Redfern, Nick Pernice, Hillary Mateev, Jamie Maughan, Cynde
Hartman, Alex Normandin - Associate
Members - Not Present:
Chris Emilius - Associate
others Present:
Staff Planner Andrew MacNichol. Building Commissioner Brett Bennett, Rene
Burke, John Burke, Nick Sive
..:...«ems oua..nrtfully submitted Bv: Andrew MacNichol
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Redfern called the meeting to order at 7:02PM.
Case #21-07-64 Village Street
Mr. Redfern opened the public hearing for Case #21-07, 64 Village Street. He read the legal notice into
the record and swore in members of the public wishing to speak on the application.
Ms. Rene Burke and Mr. John Burke were present on behalf of the application. Ms. Burke informed the
Board that they are the current homeowners of the dwelling and have been for the last sixteen years.
The proposal is to construct a deck off of the rear living space.
Ms. Burke continued that the existing backyard is disjointed and the deck will help fill in the space
Building Commissioner Bret Bennett stated that the application requires a Special Permit for extending
an existing non -conforming setback.
Ms. Mateev asked how the current driveway configuration worked in real time. She then asked if they
would remain the same or be modified. Ms. Mateev appreciated the fact that the deck does not
encroach the setback as far as the existing dwelling does. Ms. Burke replied that the driveways will
remain and both are currently used by the family.
Ms. Hartman asked to clarify that only the deck needs relief and not the proposed addition. Mr. Bennett
confirmed. Ms. Hartman found the proposal to be in character with the neighborhood and supported
the application.
Ms. Pernice stated that he did not feel the proposal was a detriment to the neighborhood.
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Mr. Maughan asked if the proposed deck would touch the driveway. Mr. XXX replied in the negative as
the driveway does not extend to the rear yard. Mr. Maughan asked if the Applicant had considered
building the deck adjacent to new addition. Ms. Burke replied the by -right addition will contain a
bedroom and is not a very active portion of the house. She continued that they wished for the deck to
be off of the main living space so that all could access it. Mr. Maughan stated that the existing lot size is
a constraint and supports the application.
Mr. Normandin agreed with the Board that the proposal is not a detriment
Mr. Redfern agreed that the deck setback of 12.2' was helpful given that the Applicant could have gone
to 11.9' due to the existing legal non -conforming dwelling. He found the proposed deck to meet the
criteria for a Special Permit.
Mr. Redfern opened the hearing to public comment. Seeing none, Mr. Redfern closed the public
comment portion of the hearing.
Mr. Penrice made a motion to approve the Special Permit request for Case H21-07— 64 Village Street
as presented. Ms. Mateev seconded the motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Other Business
Mr. MacNichol informed the Board that updated legislation was passed that would allow the Board to
hold meetings either fully remote, fully in-person, or a hybrid option of both. This would remain in effect
until April 2022. Mr. MacNichol encouraged a hybrid approach in order to allow for as much public
participation as possible. Quorum would be allowed in-person, through remote measures, or a
combination of both.
Mr. Maughan asked if hard copies of the plans would be provided for in-person meetings. Mr.
MacNichol replied that can be done, or Board members could bring electronic devices to the meeting.
Mr. MacNichol also informed the Board that they will have four (4) members available for the summer
so full quorum will be needed for the next few meetings until new members are appointed. He stated
that at the next meeting the Board will need to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair.
Mr. Pernice encouraged Board members to look at the Citizen Training Planning Collaborative, which
provides a number of training opportunities on a variety of topics.
The Board elected to meet with a hybrid meeting for the July meetings, if available to them.
Adloumment
On a motion made by Ms. Mateev, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to
adjourn the meeting at 7:34PM.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Pernice, Redfern, Mateev, Maughan, Hartman)
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