The Town of Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 2 approved a special permit for an addition to a preexisting nonconforming house on Casey Street, finding the proposed work stays within the property’s setbacks despite increasing the dwelling’s nonconformity. The public notice filed with the board identified the matter as Case 25‑24 (78 Casey Street); the applicant’s representative, contractor Mark Croke, told the board he is doing the work for the Dumas family and referred to the property as 70 (or “70 K C”) Casey Street.

The permit request was filed under zoning bylaw section 5.4 to permit an enlargement of a nonconforming structure. Croke described added living space and bedrooms and said the addition would be “all within the setbacks” and would “enhance the beauty of that neighborhood.” Board members pressed for dimensions; Croke said he did not have a final percentage from the building inspector but estimated the project adds “about approximately 350 square feet” to the original house. During questioning another participant referenced larger numbers; the record therefore contains inconsistent square‑foot figures for the project, and the board acknowledged that the addition results in more than a 100% increase in habitable floor area relative to the existing home.

Board members nonetheless concluded the proposed work does not create new setback encroachments and is compatible with the street. After public comment (neighbor Jennifer Kodaro asked about the rear setback and was told the new addition would be about 77.8 feet from the rear lot line, down from roughly 99.3 feet presently), the board closed the public hearing, moved to approve “as presented,” and recorded affirmative votes. The motion to approve was made and seconded during deliberations and passed with recorded “yes” votes from Shannon, Paul, Matthew (Matt), Rachel and Kenneth.

The board chair said staff will prepare a written decision for the chair and city clerk to sign and reminded the applicant there is a 20‑day appeal period on the decision; the chair also told the applicant to notify the building inspector so the permit and inspection records can be updated.

Why this matters: approvals for expansions of nonconforming homes can change neighborhood scale and set local precedent; the ZBA’s finding that the work stays within setbacks was central to the board’s willingness to approve despite the large increase in habitable area.

Next steps: the decision will be typed and signed, the applicant and the building inspector will be notified, and the appeal period runs for 20 days from the filing of the decision.