HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-17 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTOWN OF READING,
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 1998
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MEMBERS PRESENT: CHRISTOPHER VACCARO, CHAIRMAN
JOHN COOTE
MICHAEL LARKIN
A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall,
16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:0013M. Mr. Vaccaro swore in, under oath, those present that
would be addressing the Board this evening.
The first item on the agenda was a discussion about minor modifications to a Special Permit issued to the
YMCA, Case #98-10.
Attorney Bradley Latham, of Latham, Latham & Lamont, presented revised plans for the proposed facility.
Also with him were Bill Jennings and Paul Garman. The proposed changes consist of an enlargement of
the proposed addition on the north side of the existing building for the purpose of providing an on site
facility for the YMCA child care program which previously was to be conducted off site, plus added
parking spaces.
A motion was made, seconded and voted unanimously to modify the wording of its July 16, 1998 decision,
referencing Site Plan revision dated July 9, 1998, substituting in its place Site Plan revision dated
November 9, 1998 which shows an enlarged addition on the north side of the building, and modifying its
requirement for child care to continue without interruption in the Town of Reading, to allow interruption
during the construction period of the project only, such child care during the interruption being conducted
outside the Town of Reading.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
The first Public Hearing was on the petition of James E. Day who seeks a Variance and/or Special Permit
and an Appeal from the Decision of the Building Inspector under Section(s) 5.0 / 5.1.2 / 6.33 / 7.4 of the
Zoning By-Laws in order to construct an addition to a nonconforming dwelling on the property located at
14 Marla Lane in Reading, Massachusetts. (Case 498-28)
The petitioner, Mr. Day, represented himself He stated that the house was approximately forty-five years
old and contained 10,691 square feet. He is requesting to add a family room addition, 13 x 15, to the rear
of his house. The north side of this dwelling is only 13.8 feet from the side lot line of the property. His
intent is for the addition to line up with this side of his house.
According to the Board's calculations, this proposed addition would not violate the maximum lot coverage
limitation of the Zoning By-Laws. The Board was unable to find uniqueness to this property, nor a
hardship, if the addition was made smaller.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to grant a Variance and Special Permit from
Sections 5.0 / 5.1.2 / 6.3.3 of the Zoning By-Laws to allow the construction of the addition on the property
located at 14 Marla Lane.
VOTE 0-3 (denied)
The petitioner requested to withdraw his Appeal from the Decision of the Building Inspector without
prejudice.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to allow the petitioner to withdraw his Appeal from
the Decision of the Building Inspector without prejudice under Section 7.4 of the Zoning By-Laws.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
The next Public Hearing was on the petition of William and Elaine Leach who seeks a Variance and/or
Special Permit under Section(s) 5.0 / 6.3.3.4 of the Zoning By-Laws in order to construct a second floor
addition on the property located at 41 Puritan Road in Reading, Massachusetts. (Case #98-29)
Mr. John Leeco of Kneeland Construction represented the petitioner. He stated that the granting of a
Special Permit would allow a second floor addition to go straight up on the existing footprint of the house.
He was requesting a Variance to all ow a three-by-nine foot overhang on the western side of the house.
The petitioner, Mr. Leach, stated that he has lived in town for fourteen years and is presently living in a
two-bedroom Cape, with five people. W. Leach stated that his wife received several telephone calls in
support of this addition. There were no abutters present at this hearing.
The petitioner could not support his request for a Variance. There was not uniqueness to the property or
significant hardship shown. The Board reviewed the construction plans submitted and felt that the granting
of a Special Permit, without the overhang, could he allowed.
A motion was made and seconded to grant for 41 Puritan Road a Variance under Section 5.1.2 of the
Zoning By-Laws to construct a second floor addition as described in drawings from Kneeland
Construction, with such addition extending beyond the existing footprint of the building by approximately
3' x 9'.
VOTE 0-3 (denied)
A motion was made and seconded to grant for 41 Puritan Road a Special Permit under Section 6.3.3.4 of
the Zoning By-Laws to construct a second floor addition as described in drawings from Kneeland
Construction, with the exception that the addition does not extend beyond the footprint of the existing
house.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
A letter was sent to the Zoning Board of Appeals from Attorney Christopher Coleman, of Carter and
Coleman, serving as a request on behalf of the Eastern Middlesex Association of Realtors for an extension
of the Variance granted in December, 1998, for Case #97-31.
A motion was made and seconded and voted unanimously to grant a six-month extension from the one-year
expiration date of December 18, 1998 to now expire on June 17, 1999.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn, and the Board voted unanimously to do so.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Walsh, Recording Secretary to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Signed: _
Date: iZ ~r r 9
Approved: