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Commission approves Marinaro ADU after applicant trims size and agrees to 40-foot vegetative/fence buffer
Summary
Facing neighbor objections about scale and visibility, the applicant amended the proposed Marinaro ADU to 900 sq ft and agreed to staff-reviewed screening (vegetative buffer or fence). The planning commission approved the variance (front-yard location and floor area relief) and cleared the ADU to proceed to building permit with conditions.
The Coventry Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved a dimensional variance and authorized an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 241 Richardson Road after the applicant agreed to reduce the proposed size and to install screening.
Attorney Thomas Cronin represented owner Lisa Marinaro. The original application sought to expand a 16-by-20 shed into a larger, two-story ADU sited in what the town’s zoning determines to be the front yard for that parcel. Neighbors objected during public comment, saying the project as submitted would be far larger than typical ADUs in the neighborhood, would be close to abutting yards, and could stress septic and well resources. Several neighbors noted the lot size (about 25,000–26,500 sq ft in the record) and urged a smaller footprint.
In response, the applicant amended the application during the meeting to limit the ADU to 900 square feet and to remove the height variance (so the ADU would meet the 20-foot maximum). The applicant also agreed to install screening along the side nearest the close neighbor — roughly parallel to the ADU for about 40 feet — either as evergreens planted to staff standards or a fence, with the final screening plan to be administratively reviewed by staff at permit stage. The board treated the amended application as the basis for its vote.
The commission approved the variance (front-yard location and floor-area relief to permit a 900-square-foot ADU) and then voted to allow the building permit process to proceed subject to the conditions discussed and recorded by staff. The votes were unanimous.
Recorded motions: the board approved the amended variance (motion by Vice Chairman Colloonian, second by Commissioner Smith) and then voted to allow the ADU to proceed to building permit (motion by Vice Chairman Colloonian, second by Commissioner Reyes).
