Yarmouth zoning board approves special permit for barn at 81 Blue Rock Road with limits on vehicles and no living space

The Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals on March 27 approved a special permit allowing Benedict (Ben) Seymour to construct a barn for boat and vehicle storage at 81 Blue Rock Road in South Yarmouth.

Seymour told the board he and his daughter own several small sailboats and a 23-foot vessel and want an indoor workspace to maintain them. “When we bought the property eight years ago, I figured I saw that spot and I was like, that's gonna — one day that's gonna look good,” Seymour said. He also described a workshop area he would use for final assembly on a race car and other projects and said he had no plans to operate a business from the building.

The board granted the permit with conditions that limit enclosed vehicle storage to four vehicles and bar habitation or habitable space in the structure. The chairman noted the special permit would be effective for two years and that the work must be “substantially completed” within that period or the applicant may need to return to the board. The board voted in favor unanimously.

Board members questioned setbacks, driveway access and whether the structure would be used for commercial work. Seymour said the house has a two-car attached garage and that the proposed barn would use an existing stone parking area and driveway; he said he did not plan to add new curb cuts or driveways. Board members also asked about the internal arrangement: Seymour described a workshop “clean room” on the first floor intended for assembly and measurement, and indicated any second-floor space would likely be for nonhabitable storage only.

The board added the procedural reminders that a written decision will be filed with the town clerk, a 20-day appeal period applies, and the applicant must record the permit with the Registry of Deeds and return a copy for board records.

Seymour was the sole public speaker on the item. No public opposition was raised at the hearing.