ZBA rejects variance request for first-floor accessibility addition at 26 Wall St.

The Milford Zoning Board of Appeals considered and then denied a request March 11 from Kenneth Aldridge to add a rear-first-floor bedroom and bathroom at 26 Wall Street by reducing the side-yard setback to 5.4 feet where 10 feet is required.

Aldridge and designer Ashley Kidd said the project would allow the homeowners to remain in the house as they age by providing level, on‑the‑main‑floor living and moving laundry and a half‑bath to the first floor. Kidd described the lot as narrower than the R‑5 zoning standard: “26 Wall Street is an existing nonconforming lot. Lot. It is 45 feet across instead of the required 50. If it were the 50 feet, we wouldn't be here tonight, which causes the hardship that we're asking for.” The application included letters of support from three neighbors.

Board members debated whether the lot-width shortfall constituted a hardship. Some members suggested the addition could be shifted deeper into the backyard with a redesign — for example, rotating the kitchen layout — to avoid the variance and preserve egress windows and roofline. The board reviewed the design feasibility and existing site constraints, including a partial basement and garage beneath part of the house.

The motion to approve the requested side-yard variance was made and seconded. The recorded votes were Mister King, against the motion; Mister Sota, with the motion; Mister Montana, with the motion; Mister Einig, with the motion; Chairwoman Ferrante, against the motion. Because four affirmative votes are required for passage under the board’s rules, the motion failed despite a 3–2 vote in favor.

The applicant may redesign the project to move more of the addition into the backyard or otherwise adjust floor plans and return to the board.