HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-23-ZBA-Min
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 43 Forest Street, Map 49, Lot 163
The applicant is requesting a variance in accordance with section 135-38 (A) to
allow a 4.24 foot side yard setback instead of the required 7.5 foot side yard
setback.
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition until July 14,
2011 at 7:30 PM.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 2
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 11 Flintlock Road, Map 77, Lot 70
The applicant is requesting a VARIANCE from 135-35A, Table 2, Schedule
Dimensional Controls to allow a side yard setback of 11 ft. instead of the required
15 ft.
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition to July 14,
2011 at 7:35 PM.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 3
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 50 Cliffe Ave, Map 20, Lot 156
The applicant is requesting a VARIANCE from 135-35A, Table 2, Schedule
Dimensional Controls to allow a 3 story structure instead of the 2 ½ story
maximum allowed.
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition to July 14,
2011 at 7:40 PM.
The applicant also requested an extension of time for the below listed varainces
originally granted June 24, 2010.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a 6 month extension of time for the following two
variances originally granted June 24, 2010:
1. A VARIANCE from § 135-35A, Table 2: Schedule of Dimensional Controls
in conjunction with § 135-10B to allow a front-yard setback of 14.8 ft.
instead of the required 30-ft.;
2. A VARIANCE from § 135-38 A (2) in accordance with § 135-10B to allow a
side-yard setback of 1.2 ft. instead of the required 12-ft.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 4
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 231 Bedford Street, Map 71, Lot 33
The applicant is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT from 135-78D to allow signs of a
type not provided for in By-Law and not specficially prohibited.
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition to July 14,
2011 at 7:45 PM.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 5
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 311 Marrett Road, Map 32, Lot 57
The applicant is requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT from section 135-16, Line 7.15a
to allow an automatic teller machine as a principal or accessory use and a
SPECIAL PERMIT from section 135-28 (C) to allow substitution of a non
conforming use.
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition to July 14,
2011 at 7:50 PM.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 6
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 1454 Massachusetts Avenue, Map 40, Lot 40A
The applicant is requesting the following 3 VARIANCES in accordance with the
Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-35A, Table 2:
Schedule of Dimensional Controls from section 135-38A:
1. VARIANCE to allow a side yard setback of 8.6 ft instead of the required 12
ft;
2. VARIANCE to allow a 9.7 ft. rear yard setback instead of the 15 ft required
rear yard setback;
3. VARIANCE to allow an 8.9 ft side yard setback instead if the required 20 ft
side yard setback for corner lots
Due to an error in filing for the open meeting law this hearing was postponed.
On a motion made by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the
Board voted 5-0 to grant a postponement of the applicant’s petition to July 14,
2011 at 7:55 PM.
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 7
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
June 23, 2011
Board Members Present: Chairman - Nyles N. Barnert, John J. McWeeney;
David G. Williams; Carolyn C. Wilson and Martha Wood
Staff Present: David George, Zoning Administrator
Petition Address: 40-42 Rindge Avenue, Map 20, Lot 77
The applicant is requesting the following relief:
1. VARIANCE from section 135-19D (1) to allow a lot size of 4,200 sq ft
instead of the required 15,500 sq ft.
2. SPECIAL PERMIT from section 135-19G to allow expansion of a pre-
existing non conforming 2 family.
Before opening the hearing, the Board Chair stated to the applicant that due to a
noticing error the Board was advising applicants to postpone their hearings. The
applicant’s attorney preferred to have the matter heard. The Board Chair
indicated that if he chose to go forward, he would be doing so at his own risk.
The applicant submitted a letter acknowledging that he was proceeding at his
own risk.
The Chair opened the hearing at 8:00 PM. Attorney Tom Fenn, representing the
applicant, made the presentation. Atty. Fenn indicated the zoning relief was
required to expand a nonconforming two-family dwelling by moving the internal
stairway to the exterior of the building. Moving the stairs outside would allow a
modest increase in gross living area. Atty. Fenn indicated the stairs needed to be
replaced to rectify an unsafe condition. The stairs would otherwise meet the
setback requirements. Also, Atty. Fenn sought a waiver from the plot plan
requirements. He indicated he was aware that a new survey would be required
for a building permit. Board members wanted to know if the stairs would be
covered. Atty. Fenn indicated the stairs would not be covered. No audience
members either spoke in favor of the petition or in opposition. A list of neighbors
in support was submitted. The hearing was closed at 8:08 PM.
Documents submitted to the Board for its review included:
1. The standard Board of Appeals application;
2. Letter from Tom Fenn dated July 14, 2011 in support of petition;
3. Letter from Tom Fenn dated July 23, 2011 acknowledging that he was
operating at his own risk;
4. List of neighbors and abutters in support of the petition signed by 5
people;
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the
Building Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health
Director, Board of Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director
ZBA Minutes of June 23, 2011 8
and the Historic Districts Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the
Zoning Administrator.
On a motion by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the Board
voted 5-0 to GRANT from Ch. 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington (Zoning
Bylaw) a VARIANCE from § 135-19D and § 135-10B to allow area of 4,200 sq. ft.
instead of the required 15,500 sq. ft.
On a motion by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the Board
voted 5-0 to GRANT from Ch. 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington (Zoning
Bylaw) a SPECIAL PERMIT from § 135-19G and § 135-11 to allow area
expansion of a nonconforming two-family dwelling.
On a motion by Carolyn C. Wilson and seconded by David Williams, the Board
voted 5-0 to GRANT from its regulations a waiver from the plot plan
requirements.