Danvers ZBA grants finding for replacement deck at 7 Adams Ave

The Danvers Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a Table 2 finding that allows a new deck to be attached to an existing nonconforming structure at 7 Adams Avenue and to sit 26.2 feet from the front property line where 30 feet is required.

Applicant Ivan Esplin explained the house has an older, 40-year-old wood deck that has deteriorated and that trees and root systems around the foundation make reconstructing the original footings impractical. "What my wife and I... want to do is replace an outside deck," Esplin said, adding the new work will keep the main deck at the same plane but extend a few feet past a tree to reach sound footing. Robert Lamonica, who said he was assisting Esplin, described the need to move footings "about 4 feet past the tree with a 2 foot cantilever" to avoid roots.

Board members asked for basic dimensions and confirmed the work is an in-kind replacement of the main deck (roughly a 20-by-20 main platform and about 400 square feet overall). Planning Director Brian Sakelle noted the project was within the existing footprint and described it as primarily an issue of setback relief and structural repair rather than a new addition.

There were no members of the public who asked to speak. After deliberation the board concluded the proposed modification was "minimally invasive" and "not detrimental to the neighborhood." Board member Kareen Doherty moved to grant the Table 2 finding that the proposed modification will not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming structure; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board did not impose additional conditions beyond the finding; the applicant was wished luck and the case was closed for this meeting.