Homeowners seek special permit for small Lancaster Road bathroom addition; public hearing closed pending written decision

The Arlington Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday heard an application for a small second-floor bathroom addition at 9 Lancaster Road and voted to close the public hearing while staff prepares a written decision for the board to vote on June 9.

The applicants told the board they plan to add about 134 square feet of floor area to a roughly 650-square-foot worker’s cottage, placing a full bathroom on the second floor above an existing first-floor bathroom and constructing a roughly seven-foot bump-out to create a hallway and closet to access the new bathroom. “We’re adding about 134 square foot to a 650 foot house,” the Applicant (Lancaster Road) said, explaining the dormer and modest roof work are intended to preserve interior headroom for a shower.

Town staff flagged two zoning considerations: the lot lacks the bylaw’s minimum “usable open space” (a preexisting condition) and the addition increases an existing rear-yard nonconformity (the building sits approximately 4.22 feet off the rear lot line). Chair Christian Klein walked the board through the special-permit standard the board must apply — that the proposal not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood — and noted the abutting rear property sits at a lower elevation, which reduces the addition’s visual impact.

During public comment, neighbor Valyriia Ramden of 33 Woodbury Street told the board she had reviewed the submitted materials and had no concerns, calling the addition “good for the neighborhood.” Resident Steve Moore of Piedmont Street asked about a tall metal chimney visible in online photos; the Applicant (Lancaster Road) said the makeshift stainless-steel chimney would be removed to accommodate the new roof.

Chair Klein said the board will attach three standard conditions if it approves the permit: the work must match the plans approved by the board; the building inspector will monitor for compliance and pursue enforcement under the zoning bylaw and state law if necessary; and the board will retain continuing jurisdiction over the special permit. Patrick Hanlin agreed to supervise drafting the written decision in favor of approval.

The board voted by roll call to close the public hearing for docket 39019; the motion was seconded and passed with all members present voting yes. The written decision will be prepared and brought back for a final vote at the board’s June 9 meeting. If adopted and signed, the decision will be filed with the town clerk and recorded at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, starting the 20-day appeal period for aggrieved parties.