ZBA approves special permit to extend residential use at 26 Griffin Road for 30×60 garage

The Town of Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 2, 2025 granted a special permit permitting PCK Realty to extend a preexisting residential use in a Business Enterprise Park (BEP) zone at 26 Griffin Road so the owner may attach a new residential garage to the house.

Applicant Kyle McKissick told the board he seeks to "get a 30 by 60, metal garage with 4 bays" attached to the existing mudroom and said the house will remain occupied. The Building Commissioner explained the property’s status: single-family homes are a preexisting nonconforming use in the BEP zone, and "any change alteration extension to a preexisting nonconformancy needs a special permit from the zoning board." Staff also said the proposed garage meets setback requirements and that the board’s review is limited to land-use relief rather than building-code permitting.

Board members discussed the mixed commercial and residential character of the street, nearby trucking and industrial operations, and whether the garage would be visible from the road; the applicant said the structure will sit behind the house and likely be unseen from the street. There was some inconsistency in paperwork and discussion over exact dimensions (30×60 was cited by the applicant; staff referenced 30×64 in one note and there was an earlier mention of 40×60), and the board clarified the ZBA was granting a special permit to extend the residential use — not approving construction drawings or building permits.

A board member moved to grant the special permit to allow the extension of the residential use by adding a residential 30-by-60 garage; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The chair reminded the applicant that the decision is subject to a 20-day appeal period and that building permits and any necessary site-plan reviews remain separate steps.