Stratford Zoning Board approves variance for second‑floor addition at 30 Martin Terrace

The Town of Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance Monday evening allowing a second‑story dormer addition at 30 Martin Terrace, voting 5‑0 after determining the property qualifies as a preexisting nonconforming corner lot.

Mister Carroll read the petition from Sherry Kohn Andrade seeking site plan review and relief from front setback requirements so the homeowners can add a second floor over the existing footprint. A contractor representing the applicant told the board the work would not increase the house footprint or raise its overall height: “we're not trying to increase the footprint by any means,” he said, and described the work as dormer additions to create two proper upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom.

Board members asked questions about the design and public notice. Miss Doolin confirmed she had driven by the property and asked whether mailings had been sent to neighbors; the contractor said they had. The contractor said the house likely dates from the late 1940s or early 1950s and that a small side room visible on the plans appeared to be a prior enclosure, possibly from the 1970s.

During administrative deliberations board members reviewed the variance criteria and agreed the circumstances creating the hardship were specific to this parcel, that the structure is an existing nonconforming building, and that the requested relief was the minimum necessary to address the hardship. The chair cited Connecticut General Statutes Section 8‑6 in support of the board's conclusion that a hardship exists. Miss Cleary moved to approve the variance; the motion was seconded (second not specified in the record) and a roll call vote recorded Miss Cleary, Miss Doolin, Miss Lynch, Mister Carroll and the chair voting yes; none opposed. The board announced the variance was granted.

No members of the public offered comment during the hearing. The contractor and petitioner were present; the board noted a separate agenda item (2256 Benton Street) had been withdrawn earlier in the meeting and approved the minutes of its May 7, 2024 meeting with a spelling correction. The board also announced it expects no petitions in July and will not meet unless August petitions arise. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.