2016-03-24-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOA Meeting March 24, 2016 4 and may be “overkill” to the neighbors. He asked if the neighbors are supportive of the project. (Mr. Morse-Fortier stated that he agreed it would be closer to the neighbors.) A Board Member (Mr. Williams) stated that the proposed structure is very large may overshadow the neighboring property. Mr. Morse-Fortier stated that it would be 12’ at the eave instead of 8’ at the eave. There is also vegetation along the property line which separates them from the neighbors. A Board Member Alternate (Mr. Wells) commented that it’s an attractive building and asked if they had ever considered turning it so that they can drive a car into it directly. (Mr. Morse-Fortier stated that he can park in the proposed right garage.. One part of the old garage is used for parking and the other for lawn equipment. He now parks between the deck and the garage.) Mr. Wells commented again that the proposed structure is very good looking and if they moved it a quarter, it may be easier to pull into the driveway. (Mr. Morse-Fortier stated that his wife was reluctant to have the garage take up too much yard space). A Neighbor, Mr. Wensog Pan of 22 Bernard Street, stated that he had concerns about the size. He asked how much larger the structure would be. (4 ft. taller than the current structure). Mr. Pan also stated there is already limited space to put snow and this would make less space to put the plowed and shoveled snow. (Mr. Morse-Fortier stated that he had discussed the possibility a couple years ago with Mr. Pan about putting in a common driveway so that they would not have to put snow between the lot lines. That would have made it easier but since that’s not a possibility he would try his hardest to make sure the snow is not pushed onto their property.)Mr. Pan stated that doesn’t support the structure as he feels it would be too close to their lot. A Neighbor, Mr. Manuel Conceison of 26 Bernard Street spoke. He has lived in the neighborhood for 56 years and has watched Mr. Morse-Fortier’s family grow there for the past 26 years. He commented on Mr. Morse-Fortier’s daughter Lucy and how he has loved to watch her grow. He has nothing to say about the plot lines and if in fact it’s approved and the structure is built, it would be a great place for Lucy to eventually have as a living space. Mr. Morse-Fortier reiterated that he thinks that the issue of snow going onto Mr. Pan’s property would be less of an issue with the new structure. A Board Member (Mr. Williams) stated that they are going from an 8ft side yard to a 5ft side yard and therefore understands the neighbor’s concern. Mr. Williams stated that the Board’s goal is to minimize the impact to the neighborhood. Mr. Morse-Fortier referenced the Planning Board’s recent proposal to regulate floor- area-ratio (FAR) on developed lots. He stated that the houses behind him on Calvin Street were previously demolished. Both of those developments exceed the lower proposed FAR. Mr. Morse-Fortier’s house was added onto by a previous owner and with the method of calculation presented at the recent Planning Board hearing, it would fall below the lower of the two FAR proposals by 200ft.