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ZBA unanimously approves special permit for addition at 29 Oakland Street with cedar‑shake condition
Summary
The Newburyport Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 24 unanimously approved a special permit for nonconformities at 29 Oakland Street, allowing a two‑story rear addition and larger front dormer. Approval included two conditions: cedar‑shake siding and replacement of damaged sidewalk panels to meet ADA standards.
The Newburyport City Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to approve a special permit allowing a two‑story rear addition and a widened front dormer at 29 Oakland Street, subject to conditions on exterior materials and sidewalk repairs.
The application was presented by Jevon Alley of Japa Design, who told the board the property measures “just over 5,730 square feet,” has 51.2 feet of frontage and existing front and side setbacks substantially short of current requirements. Alley said the proposal would remove a one‑story sunroom and covered deck and replace them with a smaller‑footprint two‑story addition, and that the Historic Commission had “voted to release for demolition” conditional on removing a proposed dormer skylight, which Alley said had been removed from the plans.
Board members applied the standard two‑part test for special permits — that the proposal does not create new nonconformities and is not substantially more detrimental in size, scale or massing — and several members cited neighbor support letters and the applicant’s revisions in urging approval. Member Agmon moved to approve the permit with two conditions: that cedar‑shake siding be used as shown on the submitted drawings and that any adjacent concrete sidewalk panels in poor condition be replaced to meet ADA specifications subject to the Department of Public Services (DPS) review. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous roll call.
During questioning, members asked about exterior materials, the removed skylight, and a metal chimney shown in photos; Alley confirmed the chimney will be removed and said painted shingles are present now but the historic‑commission condition and the decision record will call for cedar shakes. The board clarified that DPS had flagged the project as a substantial rehab requiring replacement of sidewalk panels along the frontage where necessary.
The vote roster as recorded in the meeting was unanimous in favor; the board noted the motion met the legal threshold for approval and the filing will be updated with the two conditions. The applicant thanked the board and said work would proceed consistent with the approved drawings and conditions.
The board moved on to other docket items after the vote.
