2019-03-14-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexinqton Zoninq Board of Appeals Selectmen's Meeting Room March 14, 2019 Board Members: Acting Chair— Jeanne K. Krieger, Martha C. Wood, David G. Williams, James Osten and Norman P. Cohen Alternate Sitting: Beth Masterman Administrative Staff: Jennifer Gingras, Zoning Administrator and Sharon Coffey, Administrative Clerk Address: 377 Lincoln Street The petitioner is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT, in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 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, plot plan, elevations, floor plans. Also received was a request for waiver request for stairwell to be located on outside of the house. 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, Zoning Administrator and Engineering Department. Comments were received from the zoning administrator and Engineering. Presenter: Ben Ives (Architect) and Eldene A. Chugani (Owner) The hearing opened at 7:12 PM Ben Ives started by stating they are applying to get permission for an expanded accessory apartment of 1350 square feet. The zoning by law allows 40 percent total gross floor area. If they are granted the special permit the waiver is applied with regards to the stairs off of the apartment that would access a porch that would be an amenity for the expanded apartment. The home owner is interested in having the expanded apartment for maybe small family's starter home or more affordable unit in town. It's a tricky design issued being on the second floor and the house appearing to be a single family but not having an exterior space the porch would serve for that. A Board Member, Martha C. Wood, asked if the exterior stairway is the only access to the apartment. (Mr. Ives stated there is a wall interior that separates two bays of the garage from one of the bays for the rental unit. The main entry would be when you park your car in the garage and go in through a door. There is access to the apartment through a "front door" on the side of the house). Mr. Chugani stated they have two main entrances. To keep the house looking like a one family home the main entrance is on the side.