HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-04 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesOF
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2024-03-04
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
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Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Session:
Version: Final
Andrew Grasberger, Cy Caouette, Chris Cridler, Patrick Houghton
Members - Not Present:
Cynde Hartman
Others Present:
Building Commissioner Bret Bennett, Community Development Director
Andrew MacNichol, Eric Moore, Debbie Gregor, Robert Martinello
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion
ZBA Case #23-20 -19 James Road
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the continuance of the public hearing for Case #23-20 -19 lames Road
by reading the legal notice into record and swearing in members of the public wishing to speak.
Mr. Eric Moore, the home owner explained that they were able to revise their plans to ensure that the
addition remains within the current footprint, maintaining compliance with the existing non -conformity
Building Commissioner Bret Bennett mentioned that the applicant's revised plan to adhere to the
existing regulations resolved the Variance concern, and the Board only needed to vote on a Special
Permit.
Mr. Chris Cridler noted that Board Members raised their concerns at the previous meeting but had no
issues with the Special Permit.
There were no public comments to be made.
Mr. Chris Cridler made a motion to grant a Special Permit for Case #23-20 -19 James Road. Mr. Cy
Caouette seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grosberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Case #24-01- 413 Main Street
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the continuance of the public hearing for Case #24-01-413 Main Street
by reading the legal notice into record.
The applicant submitted an email requesting to withdraw their application without prejudice.
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Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to accept the applicants request to withdraw their application
without prejudice for Case #24-01-413 Main Street. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it was
approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Case #24-02 - 429 West Street
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the public hearing for Case #24-02 -429 West Street by reading the
legal notice into record and swearing in members of the public wishing to speak.
Representing the homeowners of 429 West Street, Mr. Dan McCarthy described the proposed project as
a two-story addition to an existing non -conforming home. The addition on the right side of the home is
10.4 feet from the property line and does not meet the current setback requirement.
Mr. Cy Caouette did not have an issue as they were no creating a new non -conformity.
There was no public comment to be made.
Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to grant a Special Permit for Case #24-02 - 429 West Street. Mr. Chris
Cridler seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Case #24-03 -41 Parkview Road
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the public hearing for Case #24-03 -41 Parkview Road by reading the
legal notice into record and swearing in members of the public wishing to speak.
Ms. Debbie Gregor from Ambassador Pools apologized explained that the pool was installed before the
permit was pulled and they were working on fixing their system to avoid this type of issue in the future.
The pool waterline was installed 5.9 feet from the property line but the attached decking and walk
around ledge, which also provides support to the structure, was 4.1 feet from the property line.
Homeowner Mr. Robert Martinello presented a supporting letter from the neighboring property owner
directly affected. He elaborated on the decking components, with a walk -around ledge providing pool
access, and an 8x16 foot decking on the pool's side that did not require footings.
Mr. Chris Cridler outlined the Board's past approach to variances and indicated his current stance
against granting a variance. He suggested the pool company relocate the pool or negotiate with the
neighbor for the necessary land.
Mr. Patrick Houghton mentioned a potential hardship argument but noted its absence in the applicant's
case. Without sufficient grounds presented, he was hesitant to support the variance request. He also
clarified the voting process, explaining the need for all four present Board Members to approve the
variance request for it to pass.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger asked about the structural necessity of the walk -around ledge and proposed a
potential adjustment. Ms. Debbie Gregor explained design is to maintain structural integrity.
Mr. Cy Caouette proposed postponing the decision until all five Board Members could vote.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger went over the fact they would need to meet all 4 Variance criteria in order to be
granted a Variance and it might be worth taking more time revisiting these questions as those are the
criteria they base their decision.
Mr. Robert Martinello and Ms. Debbie Gregor both agreed thy would like to work on resolving the
current setback issue and were bath in favor of continuing to the next meeting.
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There was no public comment to be made.
Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to continue Case #24-03 -41 Parkview Road to the next meeting on
April 2, 2024. Mr. Patrick Houghton seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grosberger, Caouette, Hartman, Cridler)
ZBA Minutes 1/2/24
Mr. Andrew Grasberger made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Cy Caouette seconded the motion
and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
ZBA Minutes 2/6/24
Mr. Andrew Grasberger made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded
the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
Motion to Adjourn
Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it
was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Caouette, Cridler)
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