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Peabody ZBA approves continuances and an extension; several variances denied
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the Peabody Zoning Board of Appeals accepted continuances, recorded a withdrawal, denied multiple variance requests after public comment, and granted a statutory extension for an earlier decision.
PEABODY, Mass. — The Peabody Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 20, 2025 handled a mix of procedural items and contested variance requests: the board approved continuances for two matters, accepted a withdrawal, declined three variance applications after public hearings, and granted an extension under the Permit Extension Act for a prior decision.
Key outcomes at a glance - Continuances approved: The board accepted requests to continue matters for 124 Summit St. and 32 Washington St. to the Nov. 17 meeting. The motions were made and approved on the record.
- Withdrawal: The application for 4 Sunnybrook Lane (Kristen and Joseph Zarrella) was withdrawn without prejudice at the applicant’s request. The board accepted the withdrawal.
- 13 West Diane Road (Robert and Karen Carosa): The board heard testimony, including neighbor questions about a stone wall and existing stairs. The applicants’ attorney sought variances for setbacks to allow an addition/deck. After discussion and a motion that would have limited the approval to a deck (not an enclosed addition), the motion did not pass.
- 12 Bridal Road (Thomas and Janet O’Connor): The board considered a request for a left-side-yard variance (to about 4.5 feet rather than the 20 feet required). After questions and some board discussion, a motion to approve failed—this application did not pass.
- 261 Newbury Street (Pine Grove Mobile Home Park): Following extensive testimony from the tenant association and residents raising sanitary and safety concerns, the board voted not to approve variances for two replacement units. Tenants cited outstanding Board of Health orders and reported utility deficiencies for many sites.
- Extension granted: The board granted the applicant’s request to extend the variance for 59 R Pine St. under the Permit Extension Act (the board recorded acceptance of the correspondence and approved the extension). The motion to grant the extension passed.
Other business - The board accepted the Sept. 15 meeting minutes. - The next scheduled ZBA meeting is Nov. 17, 2025.
What was decided and where to find it in the record - 124 Summit St. (continuance to Nov. 17): motion approved (see official record at 00:54–00:59). - 32 Washington St. (continuance to Nov. 17): motion approved (see official record at 00:59–01:01). - 4 Sunnybrook Ln. (withdrawal without prejudice): accepted (see 00:13:20–00:14:20). - 13 West Diane Rd. (Carosa): motion to approve with condition (deck only, no enclosed addition) was made but failed (see discussion and roll call at 00:27:45–00:36:10). - 12 Bridal Rd. (O’Connor): motion to approve failed (see discussion and roll call at 00:38:40–00:44:20). - 261 Newbury St. (Pine Grove): motion to approve failed after tenant testimony (see extended testimony and final roll call at 00:44:40–01:06:30). - 59 R Pine St. (extension request): extension under the Permit Extension Act approved (see correspondence acceptance and vote at 01:07:20–01:08:00).
The board’s voting record in the transcript often records roll-call responses but does not list full vote tally names for every motion. Where the transcript records “does not pass” or “did not pass,” the article reports that outcome; where the transcript records “Aye” the motion was recorded as approved.
The meeting closed after acceptance of minutes and a reminder that the next meeting is Nov. 17.
