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Yarmouth zoning board upholds building commissioner: trailer must be moved from front of 19 Blisscotte Ave
Summary
The ZBA unanimously upheld the building commissioner's enforcement action requiring removal of a utility trailer from the front of 19 Blisscotte Ave; petitioner withdrew a related variance request without prejudice.
The Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals on March 27 voted to uphold the building commissioner’s determination that a utility trailer parked in front of 19 Blisscotte Ave is not allowed under the town’s zoning bylaw.
Eugene Covell, the property owner, appealed the building commissioner’s citation and told the board he lives at the property with his family and runs a contracting business but that no clients or employees visit the home. Covell said space constraints, septic locations and a narrow lot limit where he can park the trailer. He said the trailer had been used, at times, to store debris temporarily after a neighborhood flood and while he awaited parts to repair a vehicle used to haul the trailer.
Neighbors offered testimony contesting the ongoing presence of the trailer and describing repeated occurrences in which the trailer filled with demolition debris for extended periods. "That trailer has been part — I lived there since February — he moved 02/2012. So that trailer has been there since," neighbor Vania Olivera told the board, adding that the trailer “fills up to the top for months” and is then taken to the dump.
The board emphasized that town voters adopted a bylaw that prohibits camping and recreational equipment, boats and trailers from being parked in front of a home’s front line. Board members said they had consistently enforced that rule and noted the policy aim of preventing the practice from becoming widespread in residential neighborhoods. The board voted unanimously to uphold the building commissioner’s decision. The petitioner then withdrew his separate variance request without prejudice.
The board advised Covell that his options include reconfiguring the site to park the trailer behind the front line of the house, using off‑site storage or removing obstructions that could allow the trailer to be moved rearward. The written decision will be filed with the town clerk; a 20‑day appeal period applies.
