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ZBA continues 568 Merrimack Street hearing to March 10 for design revisions and context materials
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals continued the special‑permit hearing for 568 Merrimack Street to March 10 after members raised concerns about massing, the west elevation fenestration, and materials; the applicant will provide revised drawings and staff will circulate Planning Board materials for neighborhood context.
The Newburyport City Zoning Board of Appeals continued the hearing for 568 Merrimack Street to its March 10 meeting after unanimous consent on Feb. 24, asking the applicant to return with revised drawings addressing window alignment and the west elevation and requesting related Planning Board materials for neighborhood context.
Applicant Brandon Monaco described a proposal to demolish an existing single‑family structure down to the foundation and reconstruct a larger single‑family home using that foundation, with a rear addition and a single‑car garage. Monaco said the lot is roughly 12,500 square feet (the transcript noted the R‑1 lot requirement is 20,000), and that proposed dimensions would keep height (~29.1 feet), lot coverage and open space within city limits (he cited about 68.5% open space). Monaco also said three abutters submitted letters of support.
During extensive questioning, board members asked for clarification on renderings versus elevations, gross floor area (applicant said existing is roughly 1,200 sq ft and proposed about 3,700 sq ft), bedroom/bath counts (from about 3 bedrooms to 5, and about 3½ baths), materials (applicant said siding would be composite—Hardie or LP—and ‘‘it will not be vinyl’’), and landscaping. Several members, citing the property’s prominence as an entry to the city and changes in context from nearby redevelopment ('Bartley’s Landing'), requested better fenestration and more uniform window alignment on the west elevation, as well as clearer material specifications.
Given these design concerns and the changing neighborhood context, the board voted to continue the hearing to the March 10 meeting so the applicant can supply revised fenestration drawings and staff can provide Planning Board documentation for the nearby development. The continuance passed by unanimous roll call.
