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

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Mr. Ives stated just inside the front door there is a flight of stairs that goes up to the apartment. Ms. Wood asked what the stairs are made of. (Mr. Ives responded exterior deck stairs, it hasn't been specified yet). Ms. Wood stated her concern for safety particularity in the snow. (Mr. Chugani responded it will be no different from the deck out back. The goal is make sure that the apartment has same features of main house). A Board member, David Williams, asked for clarification on the plans and how many bedrooms. (Mr. Ives clarified the layout of the accessory apartment) Mr. Williams expressed his concern over the large size of the accessory apartment. Mr. Ives said he understands and he spoke with the Zoning Administrator who had stated she wasn't sure if she had seen an expanded accessory apartment go before the Board previously. Mr. Ives thinks the purpose of bylaw is to increase the number of small dwelling units available in town, increase the range of choices in housing accommodations, encourage greater diversity of population with particular attention to young adults and senior citizens, encourage a more economic and energy efficient use of the towns housing supply while maintaining the appearance and character of the towns one family neighborhoods. With the size of the unit and the expectation of who would move in, this apartment fits the bylaw's motivation. Mr. Chugani specified that as they were designing they used their family as a case study. They see the benefits of having a boy and girl in separate rooms. With the size being 1400 square feet they feel this is not large for a family of four. Mr. Williams again expressed his concern for the size of the house. Acting Chair, Jeanne K. Krieger, stated she shares those concerns. It's too large and it's an expansive house on small lot. She fears it will change the character of the neighborhood. An accessory apartment of this size is not appropriate. A Board member, James A. Osten, expressed concern over the present existing trees. He questioned if there were plans to remove them (Mr. Ives stated at some point they were going to run into black locust, the more established tall trees, are on the north side). An audience member and spouse of Mr. Chugani, Aldine Chugani of 377 Lincoln Street, stated most of the trees are dead. The trees shield noise from highway behind them. They plan to plant trees anyways. They plan to have someone cut the dead trees. Whatever they remove they intend to replant. Mr. Cohen stated the neighbor behind them has a deck/porch that is close to the property towards the right hand corner. The porch they are planning to add would be in proximity to their porch but 10-15 feet higher. He asked about the trees because he felt those neighbors would appreciate having some vegetation between the porches (Mr. Chugani stated they intend to have vegetation around the property line). Ms. Chugani stated with respect to the Pony Brook Development, they moved in before the development was done. She clarified it is right across from them. When they moved to