Lakeside owner seeks addition and accessory structures; planning opposes accessory variances, supports landward addition

A lengthy hearing covered a multi‑element application for 261 East Lake Drive, where the owner seeks to construct a one‑story, roughly 1,100‑square‑foot addition on the landward side of the house, upgrade the sanitary system to an I/A system, and legalize accessory features on the lakeside: a 458‑square‑foot crushed‑gravel dining court and a 107‑square‑foot spa/hot tub within bluff and wetland setbacks.

Architect Frank Felino described the addition as a landward‑facing correction that squares the facade to the street and adds a small guest room and study; he said the addition complies with zoning setbacks. Attorney Andy Hammer and project team members said the gravel patio is intended to reduce impervious coverage in the most sensitive direction and proposed 4,350 square feet of revegetation on the lake side as mitigation.

Brian Frank of the planning department opposed the accessory variances, calling them numerically substantial and saying the proposed crushed gravel still has a higher runoff coefficient than lawn; he recommended woody revegetation rather than grass, and said the addition itself (landward) was acceptable and should be approved. Neighbors raised questions about sanitary system siting and a small wall shown on plans; the applicant answered that the proposed I/A system location complies with setback requirements and that the ‘wall’ concept is schematic.

Board members closed the public hearing for the application; the record will be used by the board to make a final determination. A separate, narrower post‑hearing staff review was suggested for revegetation details and sanitary‑system plans.