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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-20 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTOM OF READING ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 1998 3 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:OOPM. Mr. Vaccaro swore in, under oath, those present that would be addressing the Board this evening. The first Public Hearing was on the petition of Carter and Coleman Realty Trust who seeks a Variance under Section(s) 4.0 / 4.2.2 / 5.0 / 5.1.2 of the Zoning By-Laws in order to construct an office building on the property located`at 242-248 Main Street in Reading, Massachusetts. (Case #98-17) The petitioner, Attorney Christopher Coleman, represented himself. He t stated to the Board that he purchased the property in 1990 and there are presently two buildings on the land. His intent to remove these buildings in order to build the proposed building and parking area. The property is unique in that it contains numerous wetlands and is adjacent to a vernal pool, which Reading Conservation Commission has placed restrictions. Attorney perties in the neighborhood along Main Coleman stated that no other pm Street have similar issues with wetlands as he does. The Board determined that there: would be hardship if the petitioner were not allowed to build the building with less than the required front setback. Due to the restrictions from the Conservation Commission, a bulding of adequate size to be economically feasible with the required front set back would not be allowed. Attorney Coleman stated the proposed building would be used as professional office space and not retail space. He also stated that the basement would be used for storage only and would not be occupied. The plan inclueds the required number of parking spaces plus two additional parking spaces. He stated that the proposed building and related landscaping on the plan would benefit the neighborhood both aesthetically and by increasing safety. Several abutters and neighbors were in attendance at the hearing. Stephen Cook, 19 Knollwood Road, Bill Sullivan, 243 Main Street, George Farrell, 2 Pinevale Avenue, Grace MacDonald, 24 Pinevale Avenue, and Robert Conant, 50 Pinevale Avenue exessed their concerns about environment issues, wetlands, water drainage,, visibility, safety, and clean-up. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to grant a Variance to the petitioner for the property located at 242-248 Main Street, from Section 4.2.2, Table of Uses, and Section 5.1.2, Table of Dimensional Controls, of the Reading Zoning By-Laws, to allow construction of a two-story building, with an unoccupied basement, having the dimensions of approximately fifty- six feet by one hundred twenty-two feet, to be situated no closer to the east property line, Main Street, than thirty feet and the parking area to encroach not more than fifty feet into the 5-15 district, all as shown on the layout plan by O'Neill Associates, dated July 229 1998. VOTE 3-0 (passed) The next Public Hearing was can the petition of Donald Bennett and Anne Hooker 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 front roof structure within the required setback on the property located at 87 Village Street in Reading, Massachusetts. (Case #98-18) The petitioners represented them-selves and explained to the Board that the Building Inspector. due to an apparent violation of the front yard setback denied them a building permit The Board noted that Section 5.2.3.2 of the By-Laws excludes from the setback requirements of the By-Law numerous features, such as eaves, steps, sills, and belt courses, and that a small awning over the front door could be considered an extension of the eaves. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to determine that the awning proposed by the Petitioner, as long as its dimensions are no greater than 4' by 6'2 1/2" and it is positioned directly over the existing landing at the top of the petitioner's front steps, constitutes an extension of the property's eaves to cover the front steps from the elements, and, accordingly, the construction of such awning is not prohibited by the front-yard setback requirement of the Zoning By-Law. VOTE 3-0 (passed) The petitioner requested to withdraw the request for a Variance and/or Special Permit, without prejudice. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to allow withdrawal without prejudice. VOTE 3-0 (passed) The next Public Hearing was on the petition of Aniruddha Gangopadhyay who seeks a Special Permit under Section 6.3.3.4 of the Zoning By-Laws in order to construct a second level on an existing nonconforming dwelling on the property located at 58 Libby Avenue in Reading, Massachusetts. (Case #98-19 The petitioner represented himself. He stated to the Board that he is seeking to add a second floor directly over the existing footprint and to add an addition to rear. The second floor addition will be nonconforming as to side yard set back to the same extent as the existing house. The rear addition will dimensionally conform to the By-Laws. The Board determined that the second floor addition on the same footprint of the existing one will not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing nonconformity. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to grant to Anirudda Gangopadhyay for the property at 58 Libby Avenue, a Special Permit under Section 6.3.3.4 of the Zoning By-Laws, for the purpose of constructing a second story addition not to exceed beyond the footprint of the existing house. VOTE 3-0 (passed) A motion was made and seconded to adjourn, and the Board voted unanimously to do so.