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Historic District Commission approves 14-by-32-foot shed for 22 Church Road
Summary
The Bedford Historic District Commission approved an application for a new 14-by-32-foot shed at 22 Church Road after the applicant received a variance from the zoning board; approval was subject to a two-year completion window, a required building permit and submission of completion photos.
The Bedford Historic District Commission on Feb. 4 approved a homeowner’s application to construct a 14-by-32-foot shed at 22 Church Road after the applicant obtained a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The commission approved the shed application during its meeting after the applicant, Susanna Kopcho, told members the zoning board had unanimously granted the requested variance and the building department had cleared the proposed structure’s load and snow capacity. “We were approved unanimously for the variance regarding the location of our shed,” Kopcho said.
The commission’s action found the proposed structure consistent with the HDC ordinance and regulations and included three conditions: the work must be completed within two years of HDC approval; the applicant must apply for a building permit before construction; and the applicant must submit photos of the completed work for the commission file. The commission chair called for a motion and, after a second, members voted to approve the request. The motion carried.
Commission discussion noted the applicant reduced the footprint since the last hearing (from 16-by-32 feet to 14-by-32 feet) and that the structure will sit 8.8 feet from the property line under the variance. The building’s structure height was described in the packet as 13 feet, 6 inches, with an ornamental cupola adding roughly 48 inches above the roofline. Kopcho said the applicant used on-site stone and that the shed will not be visible from the public right of way except from the abutting neighbor’s property, whose owner confirmed approval.
Commission members also reviewed compatibility with surrounding properties, visibility from the road and the materials and details shown in the submitted exhibit drawings and photographs. No members voiced outstanding objections during the deliberation. The commission’s approval included the condition that construction not begin until a building permit is issued.
The applicant thanked the commission and left after the vote. The HDC record will include the variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the building-permit requirement and the applicant’s completion photos once submitted.
A copy of the HDC decision and the applicant’s final photographs will be kept on file at the town offices as required by commission procedures.
