2023-08-10-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals Virtual, Via Zoom August 10, 2023 Board Members: Chair – Ralph D. Clifford, Nyles N. Barnert, Norman P. Cohen, James A. Osten, and Associate Member Kathryn Roy Alternate Member: Patricia Nelson Administrative Staff: Julie Krakauer Moore, Zoning Administrator and Sharon Coffey, Administrative Clerk Address: 33 Freemont Street The petitioner is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section(s) 135-9.4 and 135-6.7.6 to allow an Expanded Accessory Apartment. The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification, Floor Plans, Plot Pan, Gross Floor Area Calculations, Elevations and abutter letters. Prior to the meeting, the petitions and supporting data were reviewed by the Building Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Board of Selectmen, the Planning Director, the Historic District Commission Clerk, Historical Commission, Economic Development, and the Zoning Administrator. Comments were received from the Zoning Administrator, Conservation Director and the Building Commissioner. The Hearing was opened at 7:04 pm Presenter: John Lafreniere, Architect at 172 Larch Rd Cambridge John Lafreniere presented the petition. Mr. Lafreniere stated they are proposing to build an accessory unit. They had to clip the corner for the wetland’s setback. The proposal is so the homeowners can reside in place while their daughter and son-in-law are in the house, it will truly be an in-law apartment. Leah Rochbert, homeowner of 33 Freemont Street, stated they started this proposal three years ago trying to meet all the town requirements. Their son, his wife and child have moved back in. Permitting an accessory apartment will allow a comfortable independent living space with little to no impact on the neighborhood. A Board member, Norman P. Cohen, asked if conservation has approved (Yes, the OOC has been received from conservation). Alternate Member, Kathryn Roy, stated her concern for parking (There is space in the garage and space in driveway for four cars). Zoning Administrator, Julie Moore, stated the bylaw states one unit needs to be owner occupied and the other unit can be rented to anyone. The bylaw, in terms of parking, states that the house only requires one parking space and the apartment only requires one.