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Hamilton ZBA continues application for larger house at 42 Maple Street after neighbors raise size and tree concerns
Summary
The Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals continued an applicant’s request to expand the footprint of a nonconforming house at 42 Maple Street so the team can submit clearer site and architectural plans addressing neighbors’ concerns about home size, tree loss, driveway runoff and demolition remediation. The hearing was continued to Sept. 3, 2025.
The Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals on Aug. 6 continued review of an application to demolish a dilapidated single‑family house at 42 Maple Street and build a larger single‑family home that would expand the existing footprint under Section 5.5.1.3 of the town zoning bylaw.
Attorney Charlie Clapp, representing buyer Jonathan Collins, told the board the existing house on the William Eggleston estate is in poor condition, with mold and roof leaks, and that the applicant proposes a two‑story house (about 4,300 square feet of finished living area, with a partially finished basement) that would meet all setback and height restrictions but require a special permit to expand the footprint on a nonconforming lot.
Neighbors at the hearing raised three main concerns: the overall size of the proposed house relative to neighborhood character, removal or impact to mature trees, and potential driveway runoff or impacts to abutters’ septic systems. Abutter Greg Meyer (15 Arlington St.) said that while typical neighborhood houses range from about 3,500 to 4,000 square feet, a 4,500–5,000 square‑foot house with a three‑car garage would be “overbearing in that space.”
The applicants’ team — including partner/builder Gary Litchfield and Jonathan Collins, who said he will be on site during construction — proposed rotating the garage to face the right of way to reduce the side driveway and committed to meeting with abutters about tree removal and limb cutting. Collins said he would be the on‑site contact during construction and would “be in contact with the abutters” about which trees to remove and which to preserve.
Board members and Planning Director Mark Connors emphasized that the plans submitted were illegible in places and that any approval should be tied to clear, final dimensions. The board discussed the option of limiting a special permit to the approved plans or to a maximum lot coverage; Connors said the ZBA would likely want to tie approval to a specific plan or size so the board could enforce the permit.
The application team said test pits for a new Board of Health–approved septic have been completed or are in process and that the house would connect to municipal water. A representative explained demolition permit requirements: a licensed asbestos professional must inspect and report, rodent baiting and any abatement must be completed before demolition, and any underground tanks or hazardous materials must be addressed as part of the demolition permit process.
After discussing options, the board and the applicants agreed the applicants would submit clearer, revised site and architectural plans at least a week before the continued hearing so the board and abutters could review. The hearing was continued to the Sept. 3, 2025 ZBA meeting by motion of Stephen Durocher, seconded by Andy Philip; roll call recorded the motion as carrying.
The board also handled routine business: it approved the June 4, 2025 meeting minutes (roll call vote) and postponed approval of the May minutes until the next meeting.
Next steps: the applicants will provide legible updated plans and documentation (including any finalized septic information) before the Sept. 3 ZBA meeting; the board will post submitted materials to the town website ahead of the continued hearing.
