ZBA approves special permit for two-family home at 15 Foss Road with drainage condition

The Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals voted Feb. 12 to grant a special permit for a proposed two-family dwelling at 15 Foss Road, subject to a condition addressing roof runoff.

Applicant Dennis Calveo (filed in the public notice as Denise Calvayo) told the board he intends to demolish the existing structure and build a new two-family home on the lot. The board’s approval included a condition that the applicant install a subterranean stormwater containment system (described in the hearing as a Coltek system) or a similar measure if required by the building or engineering department.

The decision followed extended public comment and technical questions. Neighbors raised concerns about privacy, rear-yard setbacks and stormwater runoff. Wendy Calva, whose property abuts the lot, asked about privacy screening for her children and how runoff would be handled; the project’s contractor on Zoom said the site has “enough green area” for natural drainage but that Coltek-style underground systems could be installed if the engineering department required them.

Board members and commenters also identified inconsistencies and missing information in the submitted materials. The application form listed lot area as 5,300 square feet while the plot plan and survey referenced 4,770 square feet; a board member and contractor said the plot plan figure appears correct and would be confirmed. A board member calculated an approximate house area from the submitted drawings (about 2,975 square feet) and flagged that driveway dimensions were not provided on the plan; the applicant’s representative said driveway width would be finalized by the licensed contractor.

Board discussion highlighted concerns about increased lot coverage (materials showed lot coverage rising from about 24% to about 33%), a change in rear-yard setback from about 39 feet to about 25 feet in the proposed design, and whether off-street parking complies with relevant zoning provisions. At least one board member urged the applicant to return with stamped plans prepared by a licensed land surveyor or architect; others said the submitted materials were sufficient to vote. The motion to approve included the drainage condition and passed by the panel present.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to move to the building-permit stage, subject to permit review and any engineering or building-department requirements, including the possible installation of the specified underground runoff system.