Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board recommends ZBA consider variance for garage at 81 Mountain View Road
Summary
The planning board voted to issue a positive, nonbinding recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance at 81 Mountain View Road after the applicant described a 1,900‑sq‑ft two‑car garage with an attached gym encroaching on a required setback; the board suggested screening and reminded the applicants the final decision rests with the ZBA.
The Clinton Planning Board voted to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals consider an area variance for a proposed detached garage and gym at 81 Mountain View Road.
Jamie Machado, the project architect, told the board the owners, Jordan Leibowitz and family, recently completed a pool and now seek a 1,900‑square‑foot two‑car garage with an adjacent gym. Machado said the building would sit north of the house, partly in the 50‑foot setback established by town zoning, and that the site’s shape and an existing driveway leave no practical alternative location. “We need a variance because there’s really no other place to put it,” Machado said.
Board members discussed screening between the new building and the neighboring lot where separation would be as little as 13 feet. Unidentified Speaker 1 proposed recommending that the ZBA consider a screening condition; Machado agreed trees and plantings could be added and noted there are no windows on the side facing the neighbor. The board’s motion—made by Unidentified Speaker 1 and seconded—directed staff to forward a positive, nonbinding recommendation to the ZBA with a suggestion that the ZBA require screening if appropriate. The board voted unanimously in favor.
The recommendation is advisory; applicants must appear before the ZBA for a final decision. Board staff said the applicants are scheduled to appear before the ZBA on Dec. 4 (time to be confirmed with staff).
