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Norton BZA approves variance for larger accessory building at 3364 Hemp Hill Road
Summary
The Norton Board of Zoning and Building Appeals granted a variance March 18 allowing accessory structures at 3364 Hemp Hill Road to exceed the city's square-foot limit; the approval was unanimous.
The Norton Board of Zoning and Building Appeals approved a variance March 18 allowing accessory structures at 3364 Hemp Hill Road to exceed the square-foot limit in the city's zoning code.
The board voted unanimously to approve BZA application A-05/2025, filed March 7 by the City of Norton on behalf of property owners Angela and Jay Wells. The motion to approve the application passed on roll call with five yes votes and no dissent.
Zoning administrator Bill Brand summarized the application during the public hearing, saying the property is 0.78 acres with a 1,200-square-foot ranch house, an 880-square-foot detached garage and a 286-square-foot storage structure. Brand said the applicant proposed increasing the total accessory-building area to 1,456 square feet and including a 192-square-foot overhang; he noted the city code allows 1,008 square feet. Brand reported the city engineer had no comments. "That's 600 square feet over," he said during his presentation.
Authorized representative David Neumeier, who presented for Angela and Jay Wells, testified under oath that the owners were traveling and had entrusted him to request the variance. Neumeier described the proposal as replacing an existing shed with a new structure "24 by 24" with an overhang and said the planned setback from property lines would be 15 feet on the sides and about 37.5 feet in the rear. He also offered a photograph of the proposed structure for the board to view.
Board members asked clarifying questions about whether the overhang counted toward square footage and the intended use. Brand confirmed the overhang is counted as part of the structure's square footage. No members of the public spoke for or against the application during the hearing.
After closing the fact-finding portion of the hearing, a member moved to approve the application "as submitted" and another member seconded. The secretary called the roll; Mr. Pekarik, Mr. Ceridanko, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mullins and Ms. Fletcher all voted yes. The chair told the representative to coordinate with city staff the next business day on permitting and next steps.
The variance was granted only for the relief requested in the application; the board did not attach conditions beyond the usual permitting and inspection process.
Action details and the applicant's materials filed with the city are part of the public record at the Norton zoning office.
