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ZBA approves variances to allow single‑family house on undersized Talcott Avenue lot
Summary
The Zoning Board granted use and dimensional variances for two applications filed for 0 Talcott Ave., allowing a modest single‑family home on a lot substantially smaller than IND‑2 district standards. Applicant argued the block is functionally residential despite the industrial district zoning.
The Gardner City Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a use variance and multiple dimensional variances for a proposal to build a single‑family home at 0 Talcott Avenue.
Attorney Christine M. Tree told the board the lot is roughly 7,400 square feet with about 50 feet of frontage and that the Talcott Avenue block is entirely developed with single‑family homes even though it lies in the IND‑2 zoning district. Tree said the neighborhood’s physical pattern predated zoning and that “none of those properties meet all setback” and that the proposed house “is consistent with these other buildings.”
Tree asked the board for use relief because a single‑family home requires a use variance in the IND‑2 district and also requested relief from area, frontage and side yard standards. Board members asked technical questions about distances to neighboring houses and whether the applicant could reconfigure the plan to reduce requested relief; Tree said the plan was not final and that the frontage and side yard relief were the key issues.
After discussion the board took separate votes on the applications and approved the requested variances. The board’s recording indicates the motions carried without opposition. No conditions beyond the normal variance findings were recorded in the hearing minutes.
The board’s decision authorizes the owner to seek building permits consistent with the voted variances; the applicant and any subsequent permit application must still meet zoning and building code requirements and obtain any required permits from the Building Department.
