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ZBA allows business sign for home‑occupation at 10 Crescent St despite zoning conflict
Summary
The ZBA granted a variance to allow a sign for a home occupation at 10 Crescent Street, resolving a conflict between the sign ordinance and the home‑occupation rules. The vote was 4–1.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment on July 15 approved a variance allowing a sign at 10 Crescent Street for a home‑based wholesale dealer, granting relief from a provision in the local zoning ordinance that otherwise bars business signage for home occupations.
Homeowners Kelly and John Caravona appeared before the board and said John plans to operate Lakes Wholesale from a home office — storing no inventory on the property and doing no on‑site vehicle repair. They asked the board for permission to place a 6½‑by‑3‑foot sign on the front of the house to identify the business for state licensing purposes.
The hearing revealed a conflict between two parts of the city code: the sign ordinance allows certain signs in the RS residential district (up to 42 square feet under the sign rules), but the home‑occupation rules within the zoning ordinance state “there shall be no externally visible indication” of a business. The applicants said the state motor‑vehicle dealer application requires letters at least 10 inches in height and that the sign is necessary for the dealership license.
Board members discussed precedent and the ordinance inconsistency. Some members noted a recent Valley Street case with a similar dealership sign had been permitted; others warned that allowing a large sign in a residential neighborhood could change neighborhood character. The board concluded the special circumstances here and the state licensing requirement justified a variance. A motion to grant ZB2025‑066 passed 4–1.
The board recorded conditions in its factual findings, including that the sign would not interfere with neighborhood safety and that the applicants had provided state documentation supporting the size requirement. Members noted that land‑use approvals run with the property — a variance, if granted, remains with the parcel in perpetuity rather than being tied to a business operator.
What this means: The Caravonas may install the sign once they obtain any necessary building permits; the decision resolves the city/state regulatory mismatch for this property. The variance does not change the home‑occupation rules citywide.
