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Board postpones parts of Coffins Court renovation request, approves dormer setback
Summary
The board bifurcated the application for 20 Coffins Court: it approved a 4‑ft right side‑yard setback for a dormer (variance 1A) but postponed consideration of building coverage and rear/internal stair variances for readvertising after staff raised a rear‑setback notification issue.
Property owners seeking dormers and a spiral staircase on a historic house at 20 Coffins Court received partial approval and a postponement Wednesday.
Applicant representatives described the project as modest interior expansions to make the 1880 house more usable. Architect Britney Ratunda said the dormers remain within the existing footprint and that the proposed stairs connect second‑ and third‑floor decks without extending to grade. Planning staff advised the board that work on the rear porches and stair configuration may expand a nonconforming rear‑yard encroachment and therefore requires additional notice and readvertising.
The board voted to bifurcate the application, considering only variance 1A (a right side‑yard setback of 4 ft where 10 ft is required) at the Jan. 21 hearing; the board approved that variance after public comment and a roll call vote. The board postponed the remaining requests (including increases to building coverage and open space, and the stair encroachment) to the February meeting so the applicant can readvertise and clarify rear‑setback impacts.
The applicant was directed to return with revised notices and dimensions for the postponed items.
