2020-02-13-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Minutes of the Lexinqton Zoninq Board of Appeals Selectmen's Meeting Room February 13, 2020 Board Members: Chair— Ralph D. Clifford, Jeanne K. Krieger, Nyles N. Barnert and Associate Members James Osten and Hank Manz Alternate Sitting: Beth Masterman Administrative Staff: Jennifer Gingras, Zoning Administrator and Sharon Coffey, Administrative Clerk Address: 57 Liberty Avenue The petitioner is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) sections 135-9.4 and 135-4.4.3 to allow more gross floor area than otherwise allowed. The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification, floor plans, a plot plan waiver request, and abutter letters of opposition. At the Hearing the applicant submitted abutter letters in support. 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 and the Zoning Administrator. Presenter: Colin Smith The Hearing was opened at: 7:00 PM. Colin Smith presented the petition. He stated the existing single family home currently has three non-conformities. The new house will conform to height regulations and building setbacks. The relief they are asking for is to allow a taller basement ceiling height to allow for an in-law bedroom. He then submitted abutter letters in support. A Board Member, Jeanne K. Krieger, clarified the requested relief. A Board Member, Hank Manz, stated they meet all current requirements and were you to decide not to have the increased height in the basement you wouldn't change the rest of the house (That is correct. The request is for about two thirds of the basement, about 1000 square feet. It is 1800 square feet for the entire basement, so 800 square feet can have taller height). A Board Member, James Osten, asked what the existing basement height is (The basement is partially finished at about 7 feet). Mr. Osten stated he calculated about 800 square feet of basement by right. He asked about how much of hardship it would be to just put in the 800 square feet (In order to make a habitable building compliant space for it to be an in-law are they need to have a code compliant egress which is 6 feet 8 inches or greater. The HVAC system further lowers the ceiling height as well.