2021-02-25-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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A Board Member, Nyles N. Barnert, questioned the fire place (Mr. Briggs stated it would be a gas fireplace and have a direct vent). A Board Member, Martha C. Wood, asked if the existing attic was already used as living space (Mr. Erickson stated there are finished rooms in the attic and discussed knee wall height). A Board Member, Norman P. Cohen, asked about the stream on the property (Mr. Briggs stated there is a stream that flows between Slocum Road and Winthrop Road. They will be installing a storm water management system that has been reviewed by the Town Engineer and Conservation Commission). Mr. Cohen questioned if an independent consultant would be needed if the storm water management was already reviewed by the Town Engineer. The Zoning Administrator stated the storm water management system was reviewed by the Engineering Department when the proposal went through Conservation. Mr. Briggs stated the Engineering Department reviewed it twice. He stated they are doing a wetlands restoration as well. Chair, Ralph D. Clifford, questioned what side the variance was on at 16 Winthrop Road (Mr. Erickson stated it is on the other side for the garage). Mr. Clifford questioned the fire place bump out and asked how critical it was to the proposal (Mr. Briggs stated the bump out sits underneath the eave and the eave is furthest point out). Mr. Clifford explained that this proposal already needs many special permits, the fireplace bump out would not be an automatic approval (Mr. Briggs stated the bump out is needed to have the fireplace .They are removing a deck and stairs that is closer to the property line than the eaves). Mr. Clifford made the applicant aware that there is a new draft bylaw regarding retaining walls that has not been adopted yet. It would be retroactive so the proposed walls may affected. The Zoning Administrator explained the draft article. Mr. Clifford stated if the article goes through it could cause changes to be made to the walls (Mr. Briggs stated that would not be a problem). An audience member, Kathleen Lenihan of 60 Bloomfield Street, stated her support and the difficulties of renovating an older home. An audience member, Tu Xu of 2 Highland Avenue, asked if anything has been agreed upon regarding the storm water management system (Mr. Clifford stated nothing has been agreed upon yet). Mr. Xu requested independent peer review be done on the storm water management system. He stated his concern for the setback for the deck and requested an independent surveyor for the setback (Mr. Erickson stated the deck is 16.6 feet from property line. When construction takes place the Town requires a plan to be submitted to show that everything is built where it is supposed to be built).