Zoning Board grants limited variance for sheds at 141 Perrine Street; front-yard unit must be moved and two removed

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 27 approved a limited area variance for accessory structures at 141 Perrine Street, allowing the owner to keep two sheds but requiring a shed now in the front yard to be moved to the rear and two smaller sheds to be removed.

The decision followed a lengthy public hearing during which applicant Rosemary Dragone, identified herself as the property owner and said she sought relief “to get a variance for my sheds.” The board discussed neighborhood character, precedent and the city’s limits on accessory buildings before voting on separate motions to deny the front-yard placement and to grant a narrower variance.

The board’s ruling matters because it balances enforcement of the city zoning code — which limits accessory structures — with the fact that the sheds already exist on the property. Board members repeatedly described the case as one in which existing, nonconforming structures created a practical dilemma: deny relief and require removal, or grant the minimum relief to avoid an outsized precedent.

Board members and the city codes officer described the property as a deep double lot adjacent to Casey Park School. Codes staff stated the local zoning code limits accessory sheds to a maximum of 144 square feet and generally allows one accessory shed per property; the applicant had four existing structures on the lot. During the hearing, Dragone said two of the structures are 10-by-16 feet, one is 8-by-12 feet, and one is 10-by-9 feet; the board identified the front-yard unit as larger than the code maximum and said it must be moved to the rear.

After discussion, the board first voted to deny leaving a shed in the front yard (roll call recorded as No from five board members). The board then considered a compromise motion to grant an area variance allowing two sheds on the property — one existing larger shed (to be moved from the front to the backyard) plus one additional larger shed — and to require removal of the two smaller sheds. The variance was approved by roll call vote, 5–0.

The board specified implementation steps in its motion: the front-yard shed must be relocated to the backyard and the two smaller sheds removed. The chair told the owner that the relocation must occur within 30 days and advised her to coordinate timing and any snow-season concerns with the city Codes Office.

The owner said she had invested in plans and missed work to prepare for the hearing and that she brought neighbor letters of support; the board noted some support in the file but said written neighborhood support was not in the meeting packet. Board members said they were granting the minimum relief consistent with the code and emphasized that the decision was shaped by the sheds’ existing presence on the lot.

The board closed the item after confirming which two sheds the owner would keep (the two larger 10-by-16 units) and that the smaller 8-by-12 and 10-by-9 units must be removed or sold. Codes staff and the chair told the owner to meet with the Codes Office promptly about timing and any permits required for moving or removal.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to deny placement of the shed in the front yard: outcome recorded as denied (roll-call indicated No votes by board members on the record). - Motion to grant an area variance allowing two sheds (one moved from front to back) and requiring removal of the two smaller sheds: approved by roll-call 5–0.

The board did not set an enforcement date beyond the 30-day guidance but instructed the owner to contact the Codes Office to agree on the schedule given weather conditions; the chair said codes staff would work with the owner regarding snow-season logistics.

The case will remain on the board’s enforcement/records until codes confirms removal and relocation per the conditions set by the board.