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Wareham ZBA grants Taunton Federal temporary CO while the bank pursues MassDOT relief for entrance
Summary
The ZBA approved a temporary certificate of occupancy for Taunton Federal Credit Union contingent on progress revising its driveway entrance; the board set a return date of June 11, 2026, after hearing that MassDOT limited entrance width to 16 feet while the fire department prefers 20 feet for ladder-truck access.
The Wareham Zoning Board of Appeals voted on Jan. 14 to grant Taunton Federal Credit Union a temporary certificate of occupancy so the branch can open while the applicant pursues an amendment from MassDOT to widen the driveway entrance.
Nelson Tavares, representing Taunton Federal, told the board the job is substantially complete but that MassDOT had denied an original application for a 20‑foot commercial entrance and had held the allowable width to 16 feet; the Wareham Fire Department seeks a 20‑foot opening to enable its ladder truck to reach within 50 feet of the building. Tavares said he had submitted an amendment application to MassDOT and had provided correspondence showing the status of that request.
The board heard from the fire department (via a letter delivered the afternoon of the meeting) that the department is comfortable with a temporary CO if the applicant continues to make progress revising the entrance. The board directed the applicant to return to the ZBA on or before June 11, 2026, with either DOT action or a documented plan and materials from DOT showing the amendment is under active review.
Why it matters: The decision balances public-safety concerns and the town's interest in enabling a local business to open. The board conditioned its temporary CO on continued progress and set a firm return date to ensure follow-up.
Vote and next steps: The motion to grant the temporary CO through June 11 carried by roll call. The applicant must continue work on the dumpster gate and tree relocation noted in the third‑party review and bring updated DOT correspondence and plans back to the ZBA by the June date.
