HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-02 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutesorx
Town of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.0C
soars - Committee - commission - Council: 2025 OCT 16 AM 9: 32
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2025-09-02 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Andrew Grasberger, Frank Capone, Taylor Gregory, Cynde Hartman, Chris
Cidler, Anthony Fodera
Members - Not Present;
Patrick Houghton
Others Present:
Amanda Beatrice - Administrative Specialist, Leslie Mclsaac, Lori Leland,
Kevin Mullins, Varangkana Colby, Bharat Bhatia, Nancy Twomey
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
Case #25-04 - 39 Summer Ave
Grasberger stated that the applicant sent an email request asking to continue the public hearing to the
next meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Cynde Hartman made a motion to continue Case #25-04 -39 Summer Ave at the applicants request.
Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Grasberger, Houghton, Capone, Hartman, Gregor)
Case p25-11- 94 Oak Street
Andrew Grasberger opened the public hearing for Case 025-11-94 Oak Street by reading the legal notice
into the record and swearing in those who wish to speak.
The applicant, Nancy Twomey, introduced the project, which is to remove the existing single -story
garage and add a new garage with living space above. This will allow them to extend the kitchen and add
a mudroom. The intent is to maintain the same scale and feeling of the existing home by keeping the
roofline at the same height and angling the roof back and away from the side to minimize the impact on
the neighbor. The existing garage is not large enough to fit a regular -sized car.
Cridler asked to clarify that the existing non -conformity. Twomey stated the current garage is 8.9 feet
from the side yard setback, and the new project would slightly improve the non -conformity.
Twomey also stated many neighbors have signed a support letter which were submitted.
Grasberger opened the meeting up to public comment. He also noted that there were two letters
submitted; one of those letters was signed by multiple abutters.
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Kevin Mullins, abutter from 100 Oak Street stated that they generally appreciate the design and the
effort put into the project. However, they expressed concern that the proposed garage will extend
forward, resulting in a view of the wall and creating a feeling of being boxed in.
Twomey use the GIS Mapping to show a visual representation where the garage would extend in
comparison to 100 Oak Streets property.
With no further public comments, Grasberger closed this section.
The board members decided that Gregory would vote on this case and Fodera would vote on the next
case.
Chris Cridler made a motion to grant a Special Permit for Case #25-11- 94 Oak Street. Taylor Gregory
seconded the motion and it was approved 5-".
Vote was 5-0-0 (Grasberger, Cridler, Capone, Hartman, Gregory)
Case #25-12 -18 Knollwood Road
Andrew Grasberger opened the public hearing for Case #25-12 -18 Knollwood Road by reading the legal
notice into the record and swearing in those who wish to speak.
The applicant, Vinicius Silva, introduced the project, which consists of a two-part addition: a
compliant rear addition, and a second addition to the existing garage, which currently has a
non -conforming side yard setback. The proposal also includes a new front porch. The garage
addition will maintain the existing non -conforming setback and extend forward by five feet. The
project falls within conservation buffer zones and has already received approval from the
Conservation Commission. Silva also noted that they had spoken with all immediate abutters,
who expressed no objections to the project.
Cynde Hartman asked whether the only nonconformity was the side yard setback and
confirmed that the garage was the only structure being extended, without creating any new
non -conformities. Silva affirmed that this was correct.
Grasberger opened the floor for public comment. With no input forthcoming, he subsequently
closed the public comment period.
Cynde Hartman made a motion to grant a Special Permit with conditions of conservation approval for
Case #25-12 -18 Knollwood Road. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Grasberger, Cridler, Capone, Hartman, Fordero)
Minutes:
8/5/25
Taylor Gregory made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Chris Cridler seconded the
motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Capone, Cridler, Hartman, Gregory, Fodera)
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Board Reor¢anization:
Cynde Hartman made a motion to elect Chris Cridler as Chair and keep Patrick Houghton as Vice Chair.
Andrew Grasberger seconded the motion and it was approved 5-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Capone, Cridler, Hartman, Gregory, Fodera)
Motion to Adjourn:
Patrick Houghton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Cynde Harman seconded the motion and it
was approved 6-0-0.
Vote was 5-0-0 (Grasberger, Cridler, Capone, Gregory, Hartman, Fodera)
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