HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA09292015_201511181923Town of Mansfield
Zoning Board of Appeals
October 20, 2015
The Zoning Board of Appeals held its regular meeting in the Town Hall, Mansfield, MA at 7:30 pm.
Present were the following members: Kevin Mackie, Chairman; Elisabeth Garber - Miller, Clerk; David
Luca; Darlene Pruitt; Associate Member Matthew Cummings.
1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm.
2. Bruce Guild, Jr., 174 Stearns Avenue.
The Chair read the public hearing notice for the application of Bruce Guild, Jr. for a Variance from
Section 4.2.1, Side Yard Setback, of the Zoning By -Law for the construction of a carport with less than
the required side yard setback at 174 Stearns Avenue (Assessor's Map 40, Parcel 165) in the Residential
1 (111) zone.
The following documents were introduced at the public hearing: Application for a Variance, filed with
the Town Clerk September 3, 2015; a copy of the public hearing notice; October 20, 2015 e -mail from
Nicholas Riccio re: 174 Stearns Avenue; "Zoning Plan 174 Stearns Avenue ", dated August 31, 2015,
prepared by Hutchins - Trowbridge Associates, Inc.
Mr. Mackie appointed Associate Member Matt Cummings as a voting member for this hearing.
Michael Trowbridge, Hutchins - Trowbridge Associates, Inc., representing the homeowner Mr. Guild,
explained the original plan was for a 13'x18' carport, but it has been changed to a 13'x18', one -story
garage. Mr. Trowbridge said he e- mailed Nicholas Riccio, Building Inspector /Zoning Enforcement Officer
to ask if this change would have an effect on the variance request. Mr. Riccio replied that if the
dimensions of the structure have not changed from the plan submitted with the application, the hearing
can go forward regardless of whether the structure is a carport or a garage. Mr. Riccio's e-mail, dated
October 20, 2015, was read into the record.
Mr. Trowbridge said Mr. Guild has owned the split - level, one -car garage home for 27 years and is
requesting relief from the side yard setback for the proposed garage, which will be 13.3 feet from the
side property line where 25 feet is required.
Mr. Trowbridge said it would be difficult to add the proposed garage to the right side of the property
because of the style of the house and the 12 -foot slope in this area. He said there is already a driveway
on the left side of the house and there would be minimal impact to the direct abutter.
Ms. Garber - Miller made the motion to approve the application for Bruce Guild, Jr., 174 Stearns Avenue,
for a Variance from Section 4.2.1, Side Yard Setback, of the Zoning By -Law for the construction of a
garage with less than the required side yard setback at 174 Stearns Avenue (Assessor's Map 40, Parcel
165) in the Residential 1 (111) zone. Mr. Luca seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Mr. Mackie said this is an extremely narrow lot and a variance was granted for a similar lot on School
Street.
Ms. Garber - Miller said it is not logical to place the proposed garage on the right side of the house
because of the steep slope of the land and the existing garage bay. She noted the applicant has made
the proposed garage as small and the least intrusive as possible.
Hearing ended at 7:45 pm.
3. Old Business:
June 9, 2015 minutes were approved as written. Garber - Miller /Pruitt - Motion passed.
Expose Signs and Graphics on behalf of Beacon Communities Connors Ave Realty Trust, 9 Francis
Avenue: Approved at the September 29, 2015 hearing, subject to the submittal of a revise plan showing
the locations and setbacks of the three proposed signs. The plan was to be stamped and the original
and revision dates were to be added to the revised plan.
A plan was submitted on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 but was not dated and stamped. Mr. Mackie asked
that the Applicant be contacted.
4. Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 8:10 pm. Cummings /Garber - Miller — motion passed.
Next meeting will be November 17, 2015.
Elisabeth Garber - Miller, Clerk
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