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Southborough ZBA OKs side-setback variance for garage at 26 Granule Road
Summary
The Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals granted a special permit allowing a new two-car garage at 26 Granule Road to encroach into the side-yard setback, citing the lot shape and neighbor support; the decision must be filed with the town clerk and is subject to a 20-day appeal period.
The Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals on May 7 approved a special permit allowing homeowners Sean and Julie Connolly to build a two-car garage at 26 Granule Road that will encroach into the required side-yard setback.
Board members said the property—onfiguration and site conditions support a variance. "The shape of the lot very clearly is, is sort of the limiting factor here," one board member said during the meeting, and the board's findings cite lot shape and topography as the basis for relief.
The Connollys told the board they do not have an existing garage and that the proposed garage will sit toward the rear and east of the house. "There's no existing garage," Sean Connolly said. The Connollys said they submitted a professional survey to the town the day of the meeting after an earlier version of their plan lacked a PLS (professional land surveyor) stamp; Building Commissioner Chris Lund had flagged the absence of a stamped survey in his review.
Board members also noted that abutting neighbors at 28 (spelled in planning materials) have provided a letter of support. Laura, a municipal staff member who read the public notice, told the board there are wetlands near the back of the property, which further constrains where the garage can be sited and means the owners will need separate approval from the Conservation Commission.
After questions from board members about lot dimensions, frontage and alternatives, a motion to close the public hearing passed with an abstention by Doug; the board then voted to approve the application. Jamie, Doris, Paul, Mike and Williams voted in favor and the motion passed. Board members discussed that the approval should explicitly cite the lot shape and topography as the hardship supporting relief.
Laura told the Connollys the board has 14 days to prepare and file a written decision with the town clerk; the filing deadline for this matter will be May 21. Once the decision is filed there is a 20-day appeal period during which the approval may be challenged; the Connollys were told they may seek Conservation Commission approval during the appeal period and that they will be contacted after the decision is filed.
The Zoning Board's action was limited to the special permit/variance request for the garage setback; no building permit or Conservation Commission approvals were granted at the meeting and separate approvals remain required before construction can begin.
