2017-02-23-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals Selectmen's Meeting Room February 23, 2017 Board Members Present: Chairwoman, Jeanne K. Krieger, Edward D. McCarthy, Martha C. Wood, Ralph D. Clifford, and Associate Member Hank Manz Also present at the hearing was Alternate James A. Osten Administrative Staff: David George, Zoning Administrator Address: 525 Marrett Road The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification, Topographic Plan, Plot Plan, Elevations, Floor Plans, and Photographs. 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 Building Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Engineering Department, Health Director, Planning Office, and Zoning Administrator. The petitioner is requesting a VARIANCE in accordance with the Zoning By -Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-4.1.1, Table 2 (Schedule of Dimensional Controls) to allow a right side yard setback of 10 ft instead of the required 15 ft. The Chairwoman opened the hearing at 7:59 pm. The applicants, Mr. Chaoyong Ma and Mrs. Ying Zhou, presented the petition. It has been a hardship to not have a garage in the winter months because of the snow. They would like to build a garage and the only feasible location is on the right-hand side of the house. Doing so would cause the side setback to be 10 ft instead of the required 15 ft. A Board Member, Mr. Ralph D. Clifford, stated that in order to get a variance, there are legal requirements. Mr. Clifford asked the applicant what the topography of the lot is (as shown on the topographic map and photographs included in the application, there is some slope to the lot). Mr. Clifford asked if there is a radical change to the slope of the lot (there is a slope from the front to the back so if they put the garage in the back there would be additional earth work required). Mr. Clifford asked if there are any unusual soil conditions (not to his knowledge). Mr. Clifford asked if there is an unusual shape to his lot (it's an elongated lot). Mr. Clifford asked why it's not practical to put the garage in the rear of the lot (it's not feasible because they would need to have some earthwork done to elevate the location. It would also require a long driveway to connect to the street, also causing an increase in impermeable surface. Putting the garage in the back would also block the view from the neighbor's house. There are also wetlands in the rear of the property and they don't want to build closer to them. 9