Zoning board approves 6 Garden Road renovation with four variances, conditions

The Summit Zoning Board of Adjustment on Jan. 8 approved a plan by Michael and Izumi Shadowski to modify and enlarge their house at 6 Garden Road, granting four variances and imposing conditions including an updated stormwater plan and a requirement that lot coverage not exceed the house’s current 43.1%.

The homeowners sought permission to add a porch across the front, raise and reconfigure portions of the rear roof to create a fourth bedroom and enlarge the primary closet, and to rework a small back addition into a heated family room. The board granted relief for a rear-yard setback, building coverage, lot coverage and a d(4) variance for floor-area ratio (FAR), which required five affirmative votes.

The applicants told the board they want to stay in the neighborhood where their children grew up and that the work is intended both to add modest floor area and to improve the house’s exterior “to be much more . . . richer materials, nicer materials, better proportions.” Izumi Shadowski testified the family has lived at the property for 11 years and that “we love our Cul De Sac Street” and want to remain there.

Board-a…