2007-11-08-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals Selectmen's Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall November 8, 2007 Board Members Present: Chairman — Arthur C. Smith, Nyles N. Barnert and Associate Members Leo P. McSweeney, David Williams and Martha Wood Staff present: David George, Zoning Administrator and Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk. Petition Address: 1454 Massachusetts Avenue, Map/Lot 004000040A The relief sought is for two VARIANCES in accordance with section 135 -35, Table 2: Schedule of Dimensional Controls of the Zoning Bylaw (CH. 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington) to allow a side yard set back of 3.7 -feet instead of the required 12 -foot side yard set back and a rear yard set back of 8.5 -feet instead of the required 15 -feet rear yard set back to construct a garage. The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:35 PM by reading the legal notices and described information received from the petitioner relative to the petitions. Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Acting Building Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Agent, Board of Selectmen, Zoning Administrator, Planning Board and the Historic District Commission. Comments were received from the Historic District Commission and the Zoning Administrator. Bart Graf, owner of the property, presented the petition along with his architect, Colin Smith. Mr. Graf explained he would like to take down an existing shed and replace it with a 2 -car garage to be located in the western corner of the lot. Mr. Graf felt that the proposed location was the most appropriate and allowed a back yard. Mr. Smith felt that the location of the house on the lot was a limiting factor for where the garage could be located. Mr. Smith felt that the garage as proposed would eliminate the need to back directly out to Rowland St, and would be compatible with the neighborhood. Mr. Graf presented to the Board a letter of support from his neighbor, Rob Higby of 5 Rowland Street. The Board questioned the need for the garage to be located at the proposed location and what the hardship was. They discussed with Mr. Garf other options for a garage including moving the garage to be within the set backs and the possibility of making it a one car garage. There were no questions from the audience. No one spoke in favor or in opposition of the petition. The hearing closed at 7:48 pm.