HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-13 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesMinutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
Case #23-16-105 Avalon Road
Mr. Cy Caouette read the applicants note to withdraw their application without prejudice.
Mr. Patrick Houghton made a motion to accept the applicant's request to Withdraw their application
without prejudice for Case #23-16-105 Avalon Road. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it
was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Houghton, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
Case #23-17-36 Laurel Lane
Mr. David Reis and Ms. Gina Strauss went over their updated variance criteria.
Ms. Gina Strauss stated that outside of the encroachment issues, there were no issues with the land.
She also asked the Board to explain the meaning of the first criteria question. The board noted that they
cannot make the applicants case for them, but gave them some examples such as Conservation
Restrictions, piping, rock ledges etc.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger stated that they need to meet all 4 criteria to legally grant a Variance.
Mr. Patrick Houghton stated they needed to be a substantial hardship related to the land or structure
which could be a financial hardship.
Ms. Gina Strauss noted the structure must meet the needs for her autistic son and the need for office
space. If necessary, she said her son's doctor could provide a note. They also mentioned that some
neighbors have sheds close to the lot lines. They noted that they have also spoken with the other
neighbors who had issues with the project and they now found the project to be acceptable.
Mr. Chris Cridler asked applicants if the current shape of their home is not appropriate for their autistic
child's outdoor space. Ms. Gina Strauss stated their home has 3 small bedrooms, and an unfinished
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Town of Reading
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3
Meeting Minutes
T'-„ IJy`I
CLERK
A.
Board - committee - commission - council:
1014 JAR -3 AH 8: 37
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2023-12-13
Time: 7:00
PM
Building:
Reading Town Hall Location:
Conference Room
Address:
16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose:
Version:
Final
Attendees:
Members - Present:
Cy Caouette, Andrew Grasberger, Patrick
Houghton, Chris Cridler
Members - Not Present:
Cynde Hartman
Others Present:
Building Comissioner Bret Bennett, David
Reis, Gina Strauss
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
Case #23-16-105 Avalon Road
Mr. Cy Caouette read the applicants note to withdraw their application without prejudice.
Mr. Patrick Houghton made a motion to accept the applicant's request to Withdraw their application
without prejudice for Case #23-16-105 Avalon Road. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it
was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Houghton, Grasberger, Caouette, Cridler)
Case #23-17-36 Laurel Lane
Mr. David Reis and Ms. Gina Strauss went over their updated variance criteria.
Ms. Gina Strauss stated that outside of the encroachment issues, there were no issues with the land.
She also asked the Board to explain the meaning of the first criteria question. The board noted that they
cannot make the applicants case for them, but gave them some examples such as Conservation
Restrictions, piping, rock ledges etc.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger stated that they need to meet all 4 criteria to legally grant a Variance.
Mr. Patrick Houghton stated they needed to be a substantial hardship related to the land or structure
which could be a financial hardship.
Ms. Gina Strauss noted the structure must meet the needs for her autistic son and the need for office
space. If necessary, she said her son's doctor could provide a note. They also mentioned that some
neighbors have sheds close to the lot lines. They noted that they have also spoken with the other
neighbors who had issues with the project and they now found the project to be acceptable.
Mr. Chris Cridler asked applicants if the current shape of their home is not appropriate for their autistic
child's outdoor space. Ms. Gina Strauss stated their home has 3 small bedrooms, and an unfinished
Page 1 1
basement that you can hear all the noises down there which is not suitable for their autistic child. To
accommodate their child's needs, they would need to make significant modifications to the home which
would be financially challenging.
Mr. Chris Cridler believed that their explanation may qualify as a hardship for the Variance.
Mr. Patrick Houghton asked if they looked into sizing down the structure. Ms. Gina Strauss stated yes,
that way they would only be asking for a Variance due to the setbacks.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger stated that he was on the same page as Mr. Cy Caouette that variance criteria
were not met. His greater concern is the r Variance criteria. Although it was accidental, they did not go
through the correct process and getting relief after the fact, substantially derogate the Zoning Laws.
Mr. Chris Cridler stated that the Board recognizes the hardship and it comes down to the precedent
setting type circumstances that this would create for future cases.
Ms. Gina Strauss and the Board had a discussion that if they were to remove 26 square feet from the
structure and moved the structure over to meet the setbacks, that she would not need approval from
the Zoning Board as the project would be able to be done by right.
Mr. Chris Cridler made a motion to approve Variance request 5.5.1.1(F) for Case #23-17-36 Laurel
Lane. Mr. Patrick Houghton seconded the motion and it was denied 2-0-2.
Vote was 1-0-2 (Houghton, Cridler [yes]; Grasberger, Caouette [no])
Mr. Chris Cridler made a motion to approve Variance request 5.5.1.4 (B) for Case #23-17 — 36 Laurel
Lane. Mr. Patrick Houghton seconded the motion and it was denied 2-0-2.
Vote was 2-0-2 (Houghton, Cridler [yes]; Grasberger, Caouette [no])
Case #23-I8 -5 Woodward Ave
Applicant was not present. The case opening was continued to Tuesday January 2, 2024.
ZBA Minutes 11/15/23
Mr. Chris Cridler made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Patrick Houghton seconded
the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Houghton, Grasberger, Caouette, Crider)
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