Board grants limited yard reduction to relocate entrance and add deck at Winix Neck Road home

The Scarborough Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously granted a limited reduction of a secondary front-yard setback on April 8 to allow a new front deck and relocated entrance at 122 Winix Neck Road.

Applicant Adam Banks said the project will remove approximately 260 square feet of existing decking at the rear, replace it with a smaller 165-square-foot deck in the front, and relocate the main entrance so the existing side door will be removed. "We're here on behalf of the Banks family to seek a limited reduction of secondary front yard setbacks at 122 Winix Neck Road," Banks said.

Staff confirmed the primary structure on the lot dates to about 1940, so the property meets the ordinance requirement allowing a limited reduction for pre-1991 buildings. Staff also noted the proposal would reduce impervious coverage slightly by moving and shrinking decking and that the proposed deck would remain within the existing building envelope rather than extending further into setbacks.

Board members asked about road frontage, shoreland-zone considerations and whether the lot is a corner condition subject to a secondary front yard. Staff confirmed the lot is subject to shoreland rules and that the secondary front yard applies; those permit details will be reviewed through the building-permit process.

After finding the four limited-reduction criteria met — age of structure, necessity to use the lot comparably to neighboring properties, impracticality of conforming construction given lot features, and limited/no greater neighborhood impacts — the board voted 5–0 to grant the variance.

Next steps: The applicant will proceed to building-permit submittal and any required shoreland/permitting checks; the board’s decision authorizes the limited reduction but does not replace necessary permitting steps.