HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-23 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES MARCH 23, 1989
Members Present: Catherine Quimby, Chairman
Stephen Tucker
Carol Scott
A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, 6 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
At. 7:30 PM the first public hearing which was on the petition of
357 Corporation who was seekinga variance for the property lo-
cated at 65 Longfellow Road, Reading, MA began. This public
hearing was continued from March 2, 1989 due to the lack of a
quorum.
Chairman Quimby read a letter dated March 14, 1989 from Latham
and Latham, who is representing the applicant, requesting
withdrawal. of their application without prejudice. She further
explained that the reason for this withdrawal was that the Build-
ing Inspector had already made a determination that the lot was a
legal non-conforming lot.
At. 7:35 Stephen Tucker moved to accept the request. to withdraw
the application without prejudice. Carol Scott seconded and the
motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
Carol Scott then moved to close the public hearing regarding 357
Corporation. Stephen Tucker seconded and the motion passed with
a vote of 3-0,
At. 7:36 PM the next public hearing began. This public hearing;
was on the petition of George and Susan Sheehan who were seeking
a variance under Section 5.1.2 of the Zoning By Laws of the Town
of Reading for the purpose of constructit), a 15 x_ 20 foot addi-
tion which will be too close to the property line in the rear of
the dwelling at 12 Benton Circle, Reading, MA.
This public hearing was also continued from March 2, 1989 due to
the lack of a quorum.
Mrs. Sheehan then explained that they wanted to put a 15 x 20
foot addition on the rear of the house. Due to the recent death
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of her father they needed additional room as her mother would be
mo ving, in with them. She also stated that one end of the addi-
tion would be 15 feet from the rear lot line: and the other end
would be 11'3" from the rear lot. line.
Stephen Tucker then read the criteria the Sheehans would have to
meet in order to get a variance.
Mrs. Sheehan then stated that, they were on a corner lot and had
11,000 square feet of land. The Board asked why they were not
putting the addition to the left side of the property and Mrs.
Sheehan stated that there was a 20 x 49 foot inground pool there.
She further stated that the addition would be a two story addi-
tion. The basement floor would be a bedroom and the first floor
a family room She also stated that the house presently had 7
rooms, three of them bedrooms. She also stated that they had one
child.
The Board then asked about the hardship criteria. Mrs Sheehan
said that they would need more space and would have to move
should they not get relief through a variance. She also felt
that, the addition would not be detrimental to the public good and
that it would add value to the house.
There was then discussion of the deck that would be removed to
put in the addition.
Mr. Stanley Roketenetz, representing Alexander and Anna
Poketenetz of 17 Aurele Circle, then read his letter dated March
1. 1989 that he had sent to the Board opposing the addition. He
stated that more congestion would detract from the neighborhood.
He also felt that the Sheehans could not meet the criteria
required to attain a variance.
Mr. David Barret from 9 Aurele Circle then stated that, he was not
against the addition. He also felt, that the Sheehan's lot was
unusual as there was a lot of frontage.
The Board then discussed the lot coverage. It was estimated that
with the house, the pool, and the addition the lot coverage would
be roughly 22
The Board also suggested putting the addition on the right side
of the property where there would be adequate room. The Sheehans
stated that the addition would be inconvenient there as they
would have to go through the garage to get to it. Mrs. Sheehan
also stated that her mother could not go up and down stairs.
Mr. Sheehan then stated that when they had put in the pool they
had no intention of adding an addition and could not have
foreseen these circumstances.
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At. 8:15 PM Carol Scott moved to close the public hearing.
Stephen Tucker seconded and the motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
The Board felt. that the lot was not unique and there would be a
derogation to the Zoning By Laws, They also felt that hardship
was the only criteria that had been met and advised the Sheehans
to rethink their options.
At. 8:22 PM Stephen Tucker moved to grant, a variance to George and
Susan Sheehan of 1.2 Benton Circle, Reading, MA, for the purpose
of constructing a two story 15 x 20 addition in the rear of the
property which would result in a setback ranging from 15 feet to
12 feet. Carol. Scott seconded and the motion failed by a vote of
0-3 therefore, denying the request for a variance.
Under General. Business the Board discussed the cases coming
before them.
Chairman Quimby also stated that she had spoken with Town Councel
about having: a unanimous vote to continue a public hearing. He
stated that. a majority vote was all that, was needed/
There was a brief discussion of the changes in the Rules and
Regulations and also discussion of Jonathan Edwards letter con-
cerning the $90:00 application fee.
The Board then approved the minutes of October 20, 1988 by a vote
of 2-0-1 with Chairman Quimby abstaining.
At. 8:55 PM Mr. Jarema joined the quorum.
The Board then approved the minutes dated January 19, 1989 by a
vote of 3-0-1 with Carol Scott abstaining.
At 9:00 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn, and the
Board voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully submitted by Karen Saporito, Recording Secretary to
the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Signed:
Date:
Approved:
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