2024-04-11-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals Virtual, Via Zoom April 11, 2024 Board Members: Acting Chair –Nyles N. Barnert, Norman P. Cohen, James A. Osten, Martha C. Wood, and Associate Member – Scott E. Cooper Alternate Member: Jeanne Krieger Administrative Staff: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner, and Olivia Lawler, Administrative Clerk Address: 4 Gibson Road (Record # ZBA-24-12) The petitioner is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section(s) 135-9.4 and 135-8.4.2 to allow modification of a non-conforming structure. The petitioner submitted the following information with the application: Nature and Justification, Plot Plan, Floor Plans, Elevations, Gross Floor Area Calculations, Letter from adjoining dwelling, and Background Information & Reasons in Support of Requested Relief. 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, Planning Department, Historic Districts Commission, Engineering Department and Zoning Administrator. The Hearing was opened at 7:05 PM. Petitioner: Carl Oldenburg Carl Oldenburg presented the petition on behalf of Eduardo and Adriana Cocozza. He shared photographs of the existing conditions of the two (2) unit condo at the property. Mr. Oldenburg described the dwelling at 4 Gibson Road was an addition in 1987 to the back of 794 Massachusetts Avenue which was constructed in the 19th Century. This situates the front yard of 4 Gibson Road as the previous backyard of 794 Massachusetts Avenue. The grade of the property was described as a 17-foot long slope from the west property line down to the front property line on Massachusetts Avenue. Previous owners installed terraced landscaping to help create a larger flat area of lawn for the property. Mr. Oldenburg emphasized the home owner’s need for a “proper” garage because the current garage is located in the lower level of the dwelling with a steep entrance that creates dangerous conditions. The existing semi-circle driveway as seen in the shared plot plan is situated almost entirely in the right of way of the road and offers no extra parking spaces for visitors. The floor plan was shared to emphasize that if the proposed garage was pushed back further it would impede more of the view from the front entrance of the dwelling and create an obstructed view out of the windows in the main living space. The proposed location also allows for a rear door in the garage that offers a direct path to the main entrance of the house to provide a quick, convenient, and safe walk to and from the garage.