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Board approves variance to allow roof extension and wheelchair ramp at 109 Washington Street
Summary
The board approved a variance reducing a side‑yard setback to permit a roof extension and mobility ramp on a nonconforming 1920s house at 109 Washington Street to allow the owner to 'age in place'; neighbor support and nonconforming‑lot status were cited as justification.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to approve a side‑yard variance at 109 Washington Street to allow a roof extension over an existing deck and installation of a wheelchair ramp.
Attorney Ellen Avery Smith and architect Mike Copenhaver presented the request. Smith said the house is a nonconforming lot created in the 1920s with a narrow width (46.5 feet) and an existing roof eave only 1.8 feet from the north property line. She said the owner needs modest modifications — a covered seating area and a wheelchair ramp — to remain in the home as his mobility changes, and that the neighbor most affected sent a letter of support.
"He is having mobility issues and there's no way to move the existing roof line into conformity with the setback," Smith said, describing the applicant's rationale that the condition predates current code and that the improvements are limited in scope.
Multiple board members said the longstanding nonconforming condition and neighbor support satisfied the variance criteria. A motion to approve PZB 2025‑0598 passed on a unanimous roll call.
The approval is limited to the specifics presented — the roof extension over existing decking and the mobility ramp — and does not waive other setback or permitting requirements that would be reviewed during building permit review.
