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BZA approves front-yard setback variance for Cedar Drive garage addition
Summary
The board approved a variance trimming the front-yard setback to allow a 480-square-foot lean-to addition over mostly existing gravel at 5320 Cedar Drive; applicant said structures are outside the floodplain and the addition is mainly for boat storage.
The Dorchester County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for 5320 Cedar Drive in Cambridge that reduces the front-yard setback to permit a 480-square-foot lean-to addition to an existing garage, the board said.
During the hearing, Steven Witten, agent for the applicant, said the parcel is suburban residential, partly constrained by critical-area surface-coverage limits though none of the proposed structures lie in the mapped floodplain. Witten said the applicant proposes a 480-square-foot lean-to largely placed over existing gravel and intended to store a boat; the property is irregularly shaped and is burdened by two front-yard setbacks because of the way Cedar Drive wraps around the lot.
Witten told the board the addition would largely utilize existing gravel area used for parking and would shield the boat from weather and public view. He said the site has limited subdivision potential and that the proposed accessory structure would not increase housing density.
After a brief deliberation the board moved, seconded and voted to approve case 2809. The transcript records the motion and approval but does not record individual member roll-call or a numeric tally.
Clarifying details in the record: proposed addition 480 sq. ft.; applicant reports about 682 square feet of remaining allowable coverage prior to the proposed addition; the lean-to will mostly cover existing gravel; the site is suburban residential and not in the floodplain for structures.
