2023-01-12-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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A Board Member, Martha C. Wood, questioned why there was two separate garage doors instead of one large door (They have not gotten that far in design). Ms. Wood stated her concern for the sides of the driveway being steep with small children and questioned how they would get from the garage into the backyard (They do not have access directly into the yard because it is buried into the ground). Ms. Wood stated it has steep walls, neighbors can’t walk up into the backyard (There would be landscape steps, it is not that steep). Chair, Ralph D. Clifford, stated the design submitted is what is approved, if there are any major changes it will require them to come back. It is worrisome that the design of the garage is not complete. An audience member, Thomas Consdine at 32 Simonds Road, stated they are in favor of the proposal. An audience member, Hardrian Millon at 70 Gleason Road, the current garage and driveway sit on a steep slope. He stated his concern for the retaining walls. He questioned the stairs to access the front door being integrated into the retaining wall. He stated his concern for the fall protection on the retaining wall. Ms. Steines stated they will have retaining walls and there will be fall protection. There are no plans to have any stairs in the concrete wall. The wall has to be setback its distance in height and the fence will be at the same location. There were no further questions or comments from the audience. Mr. Clifford stated this is Zoning but the development will also need a building permit and the structural and safety issues will be addressed in that process. Ms. Steines stated they are seeking relief to encroach in the front setback and encroach in the rear setback. There were no further questions from the Board. The hearing was closed at 7:38 pm (a roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, James Osten – Yes, Martha C. Wood – Yes, Nyles N. Barnert and Norman P. Cohen – Yes). Ms. Wood stated the shape of the lot and how it sits in the neighborhood makes for an excellent proposal. The Board of appeals voted five (5) in favor, zero (0) opposed, and zero (0) in abstention to grant a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section(s) 135-9.4 and 135-8.4.2 to allow modification to non-conforming structure (a roll call vote was taken: Ralph D. Clifford– Yes, James Osten – Yes, Martha C. Wood – Yes, Norman P. Cohen – Yes and Nyles N. Barnert – Yes).