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Applicant withdraws proposal to add bathroom to Cliff St. outbuilding after board flags precedent concerns
Summary
A homeowner seeking permission to add a bathroom to a backyard outbuilding at 94 Cliff St. withdrew the petition after board members expressed concerns the change would set an undesirable citywide precedent and complicate enforcement.
Heather Monte told the board she and her spouse work from home for nonprofit organizations and sought a variance (cited as section "3 3 2" in the petition) to add a restroom to a roughly 150‑square‑foot outbuilding at 94 Cliff St so it could serve as a self‑contained office.
Monte said the outbuilding requires no exterior changes, would not increase density or become a separate dwelling, and that the couple collected 23 neighbor signatures in support. Several board members responded that allowing plumbing and a finished bathroom in an accessory building could create an enforcement problem and set a precedent the city is not prepared to handle; they noted the city council was reviewing permitting language for similar requests. After discussion Monte said she would withdraw the petition, and the board voted to allow the withdrawal.
The withdrawal ends the petition without a zoning decision; the board suggested the applicant revisit the request if the city changes its zoning or permitting approach.
