Templeton Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously grants setback variance for 1 Carruth Road shed

The Templeton Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to grant a variance allowing Richard L. Scott to place a 10-by-25-foot storage shed at 1 Carruth Road with a reduced front setback of 15 feet, down from the 30-foot requirement.

The decision came after Scott told the board that the intended location sits near the footprint of a former garage and that placement options are constrained by a septic leach field on one side and wetlands on the other. "There used to be a garage there when I bought the place," Scott said, explaining why he proposed the shed in the same general spot. He also told the board he planned to use helical piers to support the structure.

The chair, David Smart, read the legal notice for the hearing and outlined the bylaws under which the board acted. "All interested parties who wish to be heard shall be heard," Smart said while reading the public notice. Board members asked detailed questions about structure support, door orientation and whether a paved access or small ramp would be required for equipment. Scott said the shed door will face Old North Road and that he intended to pave a short connection so lawn equipment could reach the shed.

Board members and the applicant also discussed roof overhang and how it affects setback calculations; the applicant said he could limit the overhang (about 12 inches was discussed) or position the building so it would not increase the feet required for the variance. During the hearing the applicant described using six helical piers as anchors and said he would keep the shed close to the ground.

A motion to grant the variance (reducing the front setback from 30 feet to 15 feet for the construction of the shed) was made, seconded and carried with recorded affirmative votes from the members identified in the hearing as Alan, Jeff, Joe and Dennis. After the vote the chair said staff would prepare paperwork to be filed with the town clerk for the required 20-day appeal period. The building commissioner will verify the final placement and issue any necessary certificates once construction is complete.

The board also reviewed and approved the minutes from its Oct. 15 meeting and discussed a draft informational flyer about the variance process; the chair said he would resend the email with bullet points and asked members for feedback. The public hearing record and variance paperwork will be available through Development Services, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton, and the applicant was told when the paperwork is ready he will be contacted to pick it up.

The board concluded the public hearing and moved on to other routine business before adjourning.