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Alton ZBA approves accessory dwelling unit above Norton garage with septic condition
Summary
The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special exception allowing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in a two‑story garage for Jonathan and Amanda Norton, conditioned on meeting state septic and building-code requirements.
The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 2 approved a special exception allowing an accessory dwelling unit above a garage at the Norton property, subject to compliance with state septic approvals and all local and state building codes.
The Nortons’ agent, architect Susan Phillips Hungerford, presented plans showing a studio ADU on the second floor of an existing garage and a short connector to the primary house to meet Lakeshore Residential District rules. Hungerford told the board the finished living area in the ADU is about 399 square feet (896 gross area including uninhabitable eaves), under the town’s percent‑of‑primary‑structure limit, and that there is parking space for four vehicles on site. She said the septic system was designed for a three‑bedroom home and the septic designer provided a letter saying an ADU‑compliant septic design would be provided if the special exception were approved.
Board members questioned square footage calculations, the planned connector between house and garage, and whether required egress windows and smoke/carbon‑monoxide alarms would meet the fire department’s specifications. Norma (staff) and a board member noted the final septic design and any required upgrades must be reviewed during building permitting. Public comment included two written letters of support from abutters and two residents who spoke in favor but emphasized careful compliance with septic requirements.
The board completed the written special‑exception worksheet, finding the application met Section 3.19 (ADU) and Section 5.20 (special exceptions) standards for the Lakeshore Residential District. A motion to approve the special exception carried unanimously; the board stated approval is conditioned on obtaining all applicable local and state approvals, including a septic system design that complies with ADU requirements and all fire and building code requirements.
The board closed the hearing by noting the approval applies to the project as presented; any change to the approved plans would require further review or permitting.
