Southborough ZBA approves special permit to enclose porch at 12 Winchester Street

The Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday granted Gary and Bridget Ross a special permit to enclose an existing porch at 12 Winchester Street and convert it into a winterized mudroom.

David Sadowski, principal of DJ & Associates, told the board the proposal would “take the existing porch and winterize it so that it could become a enclosed mudroom,” and that the proposed access “would be no closer to the street line that already exists” and “would not need any type of a side yard relief if it was built like it's shown on the plan.” The property is in the Residence B zoning district; relief was requested under Section 174-9(e) of the Town of Southborough zoning bylaws.

The board discussed the application briefly and heard that the house predates current zoning rules. One board member summarized the board's finding as: the structure is “existing nonconforming,” that condition constitutes the hardship, and the change “does not derogate from the neighborhood.” No members raised objections during the hearing.

After public comment (none from residents present), the board voted to close the public hearing and to approve the application as written. The roll call recorded aye votes from Doug (ZBA member), Jamie (ZBA member), Doris (ZBA member), Paul (ZBA member), and William (ZBA member); the motions passed unanimously.

Laura (ZBA staff) explained next steps: the board has 14 days to file the decision with the town clerk (deadline July 2), after which a 20-day appeal period begins. Once the appeal period expires, the applicants may obtain a certified copy from the town clerk and file it at the Registry of Deeds before proceeding with building permits.

The decision allows the Rosses to proceed with the enclosed mudroom as shown in the submitted plan, subject to the standard filing and appeal timeline.