HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-25 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesBoard - Committee - Commission - Council:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2023-04-25
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Session:
Version: Final
Cynde Hartman, Cy Caouette, Andrew Grasberger, Patrick Houghton, Chris
Cridler
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol, Building Comissioner
Bret Bennett, Gerti Bufi, Liz Bufi, Gerard Welch, Christine Welch, Theo
Mitropoulos, Kathryn McCarthy, John Tedesco
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
Case #23-07 - 20 Glen Road
ZBA Chair Cynde Hartman opened the public hearing for Case #23-07 - 20 Glen Road by reading the legal
notice into record and swearing in members of the public wishing to speak
Mr. Gerard Welch briefly described the project. He stated that the property was condemned and they
rebuilt it with a new home in the same footprint. Theoriginal home had a side entrance but with the
rebuild the owner desired a front door with a roof to face the street. However, a 6 -foot landing violated
the front -yard setback requirements. The building department approved a 4x4 landing which is the
minimum allowed by code. Mr. Welch stated that he is looking for a Variance to upgrade to a 6 -foot
landing and to add the roof. If the Board would not grant the variance for a roof they would like to
request a variance for a larger platform.
Mr. Houghton asked if the original side entrance violated setbacks. Mr. Welch stated it did. Mr.
Houghton also asked how far the new setback would be. Mr. Welch responded that the structure would
maintain a 16.7 -foot front setback and that the roof would be the same size as the landing.
Mr. Caouette asked Building Commissioner Bret Bennett what drove the Variance request, the roof or
the landing. Mr. Bennett stated both. Mr. Bennett explained that stairs are exempt from the Zoning
Bylaws but they do not talk about the landing pad. Per the building code, you need at minimum a 4x4
landing pad to access the stairs so such size is typically exempt from zoning as well. Any landing over is
considered a structure that must meet setbacks or receive relief.
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Mr. Cridler asked Mr. Welch to take them through the Variance Criteria. Mr. Welch stated that the
existing lot was already non -conforming and in order to rebuild the home, they had to stay within the
same footprint. Any set of stairs they put on the homes would violate the front -yard setback. The home
could not be moved back because it would then violate the side -yard setback.
Mr. Bufi, the new homeowner, stated that they have lived next door for about six years. He and his wife
have two small children and the roof over the door is helpful with rain and snow. He is also active in the
military and is often out of the house leaving his wife home alone. They also believe that it would look
well in the neighborhood.
Ms. Hartman opened the meeting up to public comment and with no public comment forthcoming,
closed the public comment period.
Mr. Caouette asked if they planned on installing railings. Mr. Welch stated they would be installing
wrought iron railings on both sides.
Mr. Cridler made a motion to grant a Variance for Case #23-07 - 20 Glen Road. Mr. Caouette seconded
the motion and it was approved 4-0-1.
Vote was 4-0-1 (Houghton, Hartman, Grasberger, Cridler,, Caouette [opposed])
ZBA Minutes 4/21/22
Mr. Caouette made a motion to accept the minutes as Amended. Mr. Grasberger seconded the
motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Houghton, Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Minutes 5/19/22
Mr. Grasberger made a motion to accept the minutes as Amended. Mr. Caouette seconded the
motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Houghton, Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Minutes 9/7/22
Mr. Caouette made a motion to accept the minutes as Amended. Mr. Houghton seconded the motion
and R was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Houghton, Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
Adlournment
Mr. Houghton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26PM. Mr. Cridler seconded the motion
and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Houghton, Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
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