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Peabody Board of Appeals Approves Multiple Setback Variances; one approval conditioned on Conservation Commission sign-off
Summary
On Nov. 17 the Peabody Board of Appeals approved variances for several homeowners — including 396 Lowell St., 5 Howard Ave., 10 Florence Rd., 13 West Diane Rd., and 54 Linden Rd. — continued some items to Dec. 15 and tabled one application pending revised plans and building-department review.
PEABODY, Mass. — The Peabody Board of Appeals on Nov. 17 approved a slate of variances for homeowners seeking to replace or enlarge existing decks and add porches, and it conditioned one approval on verification from the Conservation Commission.
At the Wigan Auditorium, the board opened the night by laying out procedures for the hearing and emphasizing its jurisdiction: “Let me just remind everybody that we’re here for dimensional relief,” the Chair said, instructing speakers to state name and address and to limit remarks to matters the board may legally consider.
The most consequential vote was on the application of Geraldine Duffy, 396 Lowell Street, who sought to tear down an existing deck and replace it with an enclosed, year‑round porch. Duffy told the board she had submitted a plot plan and paid an easement fee related to an abutting bike path. After members raised concerns about whether the property lay within a wetland buffer, Member Osborne and others made clear they would not approve the variance without written verification from the Conservation Commission. The board voted to approve the variance on the condition that the Conservation Commission confirm the proposed work complies with its requirements.
Other approvals that night were routine and passed by roll call votes. Paula D’Angelo Pickett received approval for a roughly 7½-by-11-foot kitchen addition over an existing deck at 5 Howard Ave., where the application included multiple letters of support and one written opposition from an abutter asserting the addition would reduce privacy. Douglas Brown of Pegasus Design and Build represented Katie Adley and described a rear addition and a 19-foot total deck width at 10 Florence Road; the board approved that relief. Attorney John Kelty represented Robert and Karen Carrozza and secured approval for multiple deck/setback variances at 13 West Diane Road after explaining the application had been re-advertised and revised to reflect decks rather than an addition. Chris Crump of CWC Design represented Ted and Kristen Nary for a covered front porch at 54 Linden Road; neighbors spoke in favor and the board approved the requested front-yard relief.
One application was tabled. Benjamin Casey, appearing for Diane Trakier at 18 Joy Road, explained the owner revised a previously-submitted plan (a proposed two‑car garage with dwelling above was pared back to a second-floor addition). Because plan changes affect required relief, the board instructed the applicant to meet with the building department and tabled the item so the application could return with corrected drawings or permit determinations.
Board members repeatedly advised applicants to consult the Conservation Commission or the building department as appropriate, and clerical items were handled on the record. The Chair reminded applicants that an approved decision is filed with the city clerk and that there is a 20‑day appeal period after that filing.
The board accepted the Oct. 20 minutes, set its next meeting for Dec. 15, 2025, and adjourned.
Votes at a glance
• 396 Lowell St. (Geraldine Duffy): variance to enclose existing deck; APPROVED CONDITIONALLY (Conservation Commission verification required). • 5 Howard Ave. (Paula D’Angelo Pickett): variance for kitchen addition over deck; APPROVED. • 10 Florence Rd. (Katie Adley / Pegasus Design & Build): variance for rear addition and deck wrapping the addition; APPROVED. • 13 West Diane Rd. (Robert & Karen Carrozza / John Kelty): variances for decks/setbacks (right, left, front yards); APPROVED. • 54 Linden Rd. (Ted & Kristen Nary / Chris Crump): front porch setback relief; APPROVED. • 18 Joy Rd. (Diane Trakier / Benjamin Casey): application TABLED for building‑department review and corrected plans.
What happens next
Approved applicants have a 20‑day appeal period after the board’s decision is filed with the city clerk. The board explicitly tied the Duffy approval to written confirmation from the Conservation Commission before construction may proceed.
