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Smithfield board approves 12-foot side-yard variance for mudroom at 163 Old County Road
Summary
The Smithfield Zoning Board approved a 12-foot side-yard variance allowing a roughly 12x12 mudroom/storage addition that abuts an existing garage at 163 Old County Road; applicants Mark and Vanessa Siegel presented corrected site plans and a neighbor letter of support.
The Smithfield Zoning Board of Review unanimously approved a 12-foot side-yard variance Sept. 4 to allow a roughly 12-by-12 mudroom and storage addition attached to an existing garage at 163 Old County Road.
Applicants Mark and Vanessa Siegel told the board the original site plan mislabeled Old County Road and Pinewood Drive; they provided corrected drawings and submitted a letter from an adjacent neighbor supporting the project. The Siegel's attorney was not present; the applicants testified they planned to attach the addition to the existing garage and that the existing garage was grandfathered and already close to the property line.
Board members and staff discussed the property's corner-lot configuration, noting the zoning ordinance can treat multiple sides as "fronts," which affects how setbacks are measured. Staff advised that if the board treats the disputed edge as a side yard the appropriate relief would be a 12-foot variance. The board also reminded the applicants to address building-permit concerns, including fire-rating requirements, with the building official before construction.
Chairman Jim Busman opened the public hearing; no one spoke for or against the application. After taking the application under advisement, the board deliberated and voted to approve the variance. The board's motion described the relief as a 12-foot variance from the side-yard requirement to allow the addition to be attached to the existing garage; the motion passed by the recorded voice vote "Aye."
