2017-09-28-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals Selectmen’s Meeting Room September 28, 2017 Board Members Present: Chairwoman, Jeanne K. Krieger, Edward D. McCarthy, David G. Williams, Martha C. Wood, and Ralph D. Clifford Alternate Present: Nyles N. Barnert Administrative Staff: David George, Zoning Administrator Address: 29 Sherburne Road The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification, Topographic Plan, Plot Plan, and Floor Plans. Also received was a Board of Appeals decision, dated July 14, 1994. 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, Engineering Department, and Zoning Administrator. The petitioner is requesting a VARIANCE in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) sections 135-9.2.2.2 and 135-4.1.1, Table 2 (Schedule of Dimensional Controls), to allow a front yard setback of 22.9 ft instead of the allowable 30 ft. The Chairwoman opened the hearing at 7:45 pm. The applicant, Mr. Sundaram Ramanathan, presented the petition. They are looking to add a larger landing and a front porch to their current home. His wife has a leg injury and it has become a challenge to get in and out of the house with the current size of the landing. They are proposing to extend the depth of the porch to 6ft, with part of it 8ft because of the position of the structure. In 1994, they had applied for a variance when they did an addition, which was granted. For this variance, they are asking for approval of a 22.9ft setback instead of the allowable 30ft. A Board Member, Mr. Ralph D. Clifford, asked the applicant if there is anything wrong with the lot that would qualify it for a variance (Mr. Ramanathan responded that it’s a corner lot and the front road is curved,making the design challenging). Mr. Clifford stated that it looks like the house is well positioned on the lot and he doesn’t see anything on the lot that would result in a zoning issue (Mr. Ramanthan responded that is accurate but they are requesting it because of his wife’s knee injury). Mr. Clifford asked what other options were investigated (Mr. Ramanthan responded that they had looked at putting an entry in the back but it wouldn’t allow his wife to use the front door). Mr. Clifford asked if there is a back door (there is a back door from the garage but it faces the garden. Mr. Clifford stated that if there is a viable alternative, it’s hard to argue the hardship. Page 4