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ZBA approves variance and special exception for ADU at 362 Savage Road
Summary
The Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance and special exception on Jan. 16 permitting conversion of an existing garage into an approximately 829-square-foot two‑bedroom accessory dwelling unit at 362 Savage Road; the special-exception approval is conditioned on septic certification before a building permit is issued.
The Town of Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment on Jan. 16 approved a variance and a special exception that allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to be created within an existing detached garage at 362 Savage Road.
The board approved a variance to exceed the ADU size limit and granted the special exception needed to convert the garage into an approximately 829-square-foot, two-bedroom ADU with a small mudroom and exterior deck area. Board members voted unanimously on both actions. The special-exception approval carries a condition that no building permit will be issued until the applicant provides documentation to the Community Development Office showing the property’s septic system is sufficient or a compliant replacement is approved.
Applicant Amy Coval told the board the plan is to convert the on-site detached garage into a two‑bedroom unit and said the structure “already would technically be a 2 bedroom” and that she and her husband planned to live in the unit as a family arrangement. Coval described multiple square‑footage calculations presented with the application (handwritten forms showing 900 sq. ft., an initial plan that listed 829 sq. ft., and optional deck area figures). The board and applicant worked to establish the finished living‑space number to be considered; the board recorded the ADU at 829 square feet for approval.
Board members discussed whether forcing the applicant to reduce the interior living area to the 750-square-foot threshold would be an unnecessary hardship given the existing building footprint. Members repeatedly noted the structure exists on an established foundation and that the project does not expand the building’s footprint. In deliberations, one member summarized the view expressed by several colleagues: converting the existing footprint to habitable space is a reasonable use and the change is unlikely to affect surrounding properties.
The board voted on the variance (Case 2024‑19) with the roll call recorded as: Joan (yes), Rich Elliott (yes), Mike Thornton (yes), Kevin Overby (yes) and Chair Andrea Coco Chapel (yes). The chair announced, “The variance has been approved. The criteria for the request has been satisfied.”
The board then considered the special exception (Case 2024‑20) for an ADU under Milford’s ADU provisions. After confirming code and ADU criteria, the board added a permitting condition aimed at ensuring adequate sewage disposal: no building permit will be issued until the applicant provides Community Development with documentation that the septic system is sufficient for occupancy or shows plans for a compliant replacement. The board approved the special exception unanimously.
What’s next: the approvals carry a 30‑day appeal period; the chair reminded the applicant that construction should not begin until the permitting and any appeal period have been satisfied and the necessary building‑department clearances obtained.
