Zoning board approves single-floor, tall-ceiling garage at Hill Farm Camp Road

The Town of Coventry Zoning Board approved a dimensional variance to allow a detached garage in the front yard and to exceed accessory-structure height limits for property at Hill Farm Camp Road, after the applicant and his surveyor described the proposal and the board discussed notice limits for second-floor area relief.

Sam Sorsa, a land surveyor representing applicant David Glenn, told the board the proposed garage footprint is roughly 30 by 32 feet and that a new code limits accessory floor area to 955.2 square feet; the proposed structure would have a taller ceiling and the applicant intends a single-floor garage tonight and might return for separate approval of a second floor. Town staff told the board they were not in a position to grant second-floor area relief because that element was not properly noticed for tonight’s hearing.

Board members expressed that approving the footprint and height for a single-floor tall garage was permissible and on motion and second, voted to approve the application with the condition that the approval covers a single-floor structure (applicant may seek second-floor area relief at a future, properly noticed hearing). The vote passed on roll call.

The record shows the applicant provided a letter from the condominium/HOA approving the project; the board discussed lot coverage, distance from the gravel edge of the roadway, and the practical implications of a two-floor design. The board’s approval explicitly follows the staff report’s recommended condition limiting approval to a single-floor garage despite architectural drawings that showed a second floor.

The applicant and his representatives were instructed about next procedural steps if they pursue a future application for second-floor area, and the matter concluded with a roll-call approval at the meeting.