2017-06-08-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Brian Butler with Oxbow Associates stated they have met with Karen Mullins, the Conservation Administrator. There is a 50 ft no structure zone in the conservation bylaw but there is a provision on pre-existing structures. In the event of a pre-existing structure, there is a 41 ft offset from the existing wetlands, which becomes the new diminius setback. The proposed structures are 41 ft on the east side and 45 ft on the west side. In that regard it will comply with the Wetlands Act. They haven’t gone through the formal notice of intent hearing but they are expecting it to be approved. Ms. Krieger asked the applicant if they were to demolish the house, would they still have to maintain the 41 ft offset from the wetlands (they would need to maintain the 41 or greater offset). Ms. Krieger stated that the proposed house is too large for such a fragile lot. A Board Member, Mr. Ralph D. Clifford, stated that he agrees with Ms. Krieger and is in opposition due to the petition. A Board Member, Mr. William P. Kennedy, stated that he agrees as well. An audience member, Ms. Minmin Yang of 166 Lincoln Street, asked the applicant for clarification on the distance he will be extending into the front setback (4 ft and the side yard setback will be 15 ft on the left and the house will be 2 stories in height). An audience member, Mr. Antonio Bonanno of 158 Lincoln Street, stated that he is opposed to the petition due to his view being blocked from the driveway. Mr. Bonanno is okay with the proposed height of the strucutre, but is concerned about it going forward. Additionaly, he is concerned about the drainage since his driveway is lower (the applicant responded that another reason for moving the house forward is to accommodate a normal garage). Ms. Krieger stated it’s highly unlikely that this will be approved and explained the option of withdrawing the application to the applicant. The Zoning Administrator, Mr. David George, stated that another option would be for the applicant to request a continuance and revise the plans to reflect what the Board would like to see. The owner of the property, Mr. Yi Yue, spoke. The existing ranch home has a 4 ft porch in the front so they won’t technically be adding more, they will be using that 4ft space for the home. There are other homes on that street that have a similar setback so it won’t be closer to the road than the other neighbors. Because of the Conservation issue, they spoke with Karen Mullins, the Conservation Administrator, who agreed that the option they proposed would have the least impact to the wetlands. Ms. Krieger stated that the real concern is the intrusion and mass of the house. Mr. Williams stated that Conservation is only telling the applicants what is ideal, not what the Zoning Board would like to see (the applicant responded that Conservation wasn’t very lenient with what they initially proposed).