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Watertown Board of Adjustment grants setback variance for garage at 1028 1st Avenue NE
Summary
The Board of Adjustment voted unanimously April 9 to grant a variance allowing a 22x24-foot detached garage at 1028 1st Avenue NE to sit 2 feet into the 6‑ft side-yard setback and 5 feet into the 9‑ft rear setback; the permit will require paving, drainage controls and an upgraded fire rating.
The Watertown Board of Adjustment on April 9 unanimously approved a variance that will allow construction of a 22‑by‑24‑foot detached garage at 1028 1st Avenue Northeast.
Planning staff described the property as zoned R2A, single‑family attached residential, and told the board the project would encroach 2 feet into the 6‑foot side‑yard setback and 5 feet into the 9‑foot rear‑yard setback required by ordinance. Staff said the proposed garage meets minimum lot‑size standards but that the owner will have to pave the driveway at the time of building permit and meet additional fire‑rating requirements where the structure is closer than code allows.
Applicant Eric Swanger told the board he bought the house last July and wants the garage to use the existing driveway and preserve mature shade trees. "We just bought this house back in July," Swanger said. "I don't want to have to remove any trees ... they're too nice to take down." He said he plans to remove the existing shed and to pave the driveway when he applies for a building permit.
Bert Meixsted of Watertown Municipal Utilities said the utility had no objection to the variance but warned the applicant that a power line appears to serve the old shed and that gas lines run beneath the area; any relocation or adjustment would be coordinated with the applicant. "We don't have a problem with it," Meixsted said, "the only thing is we just want to note that there is a power line that appears to go to the old shed."
Board member Case moved a "do pass" motion and member Tate seconded. In explaining his support, Case said the enlargement is consistent with neighborhood patterns, will move the structure slightly further from the east neighbor, and that paving could improve stormwater runoff. After discussion of fire‑safety conditions and neighborhood character, the board took a roll call vote: Spire, Tate, Chernus, Colhane, Case and Durgis‑Johnson voted yes — six yes, zero no — and the variance was granted.
Next steps for Swanger include securing a building permit and meeting the conditions noted by staff: paving the driveway on his property, complying with fire‑rating and firewall requirements for the closer setback, and ensuring roof overhangs and drainage do not extend onto neighboring lots.
