Board approves rear‑setback relief and two egresses for Grand Street two‑family with maintenance condition

The Gardner City Zoning Board of Appeals on March 18 approved a variance for 108 Grand Street (Parcel ID R22‑7‑14) to allow two exterior egresses and relief from the rear setback for a two‑family residence, with a condition that the owner maintain a six‑foot clear pathway along the right side of the building for safe egress.

The applicant, Christophe Chardy, submitted floor and site plans showing stacked egress doors (one per floor) in the rear left corner of the lot. Chardy said the proposed first‑floor egress will open onto ground level and the second‑floor egress will descend one flight to a three‑foot landing and then to grade. Photographs and a survey in the application packet showed a retaining wall behind the house that separates the lot from higher terrain; Chardy said that location allows both egresses to reach grade on the applicant’s parcel without crossing a neighbor’s land.

Commissioners discussed sight lines, grades and whether the proposed routes would be reasonably clear in winter months. The board asked that the property owner maintain the pathway adjacent to the house; the motion that passed included a specific condition that the pathway on the right side of the building be maintained at a minimum of six feet from the house to the property line.

There were no abutters who appeared in opposition at the hearing. The board voted unanimously to approve the variance, and members noted the location is the least‑impactful place on the lot given the steep topography elsewhere. The chair advised the applicant that the board’s decision will be time stamped and the applicant will receive the written decision (which must be recorded at the registry of deeds to complete the process).