ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2006
Town Administration Building,
Meeting Room #1, 7:00 PM
Chairman Tony Andre called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. Present were members Norm Czech, Ingrid Thompson and alternate member Walter Solzak. Also present was ZBA Clerk, Linda Leduc, recording minutes.
7:10 PM – Finding Request – Mark Contois, 1030 Pine Street, Palmer. The applicant is requesting a finding for the placement of an unattached accessory building within the rear-yard setback.
Mark and Nancy Contois were present and representing themselves. M. Contois apologized for the shed already being in place. They were unaware that its building and placement required such a filing. He stated that the small storage shed, 4’ x 8’, is to house garden tools. It has a low profile, and is attractive and styled to match their Victorian style home and the neighborhood.
Their property is small in size. There is no backyard or garage and the location of the house, pool, driveway and perimeter fence limit the placement of the shed. Because of the zoning by-law’s dimensional requirements the shed is situated within the backyard setback.
An abutter, Eileen Smith, of 27 Squire Street was present and stated that the shed, as currently placed, blocks her view of the street, particularly the corner of Squire and Pine, where her children wait for the bus during the school year. She inquired about moving the shed closer to the Contois’ house to regain said view. Mr. Contois stated that they would be willing to consider moving the shed 3’-4’ closer to their house. They would look into whether moving it closer to the house would indeed unblock the neighbor’s view before moving it.
N. Czech motioned to grant the finding indicating parcel shape and size as hardship. I. Thompson seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
Discussion Items:
Donald Bradway was present to discuss the results of his hearing in January of 2006. He asked that the definition of common ownership be clarified because he never owned both of the properties in question. I. Thompson explained that it does not matter if Mr. Bradway owned both properties: they were historically owed by the same person and when divided created two non-conforming lots.
Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2006: I. Thompson motioned to accept the minutes of June 13, 2006, as amended. N. Czech seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
7:40PM – I. Thompson motioned to adjourn the meeting. All in favor (4:0).
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