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ZBA hears redesign plans for Falmouth Heights conversion, asks for health and flood‑zone referrals before decision
Summary
Architect Kurt Raber presented a revised plan to convert an office to a residence at 6 Falmouth Heights Road and to add a garage with habitable space. The board asked for a flood‑zone overlay, Board of Health/wastewater referrals on bedroom counts and confirmation from Conservation before taking final action; the hearing was continued for follow‑up.
Architect Kurt Raber, speaking for property owner Carrie Born, presented revised drawings for 6 Falmouth Heights Road and described the proposal to remove encroaching additions, improve setbacks, and add a garage with a second‑floor bedroom. Raber asked the ZBA for at least an informal indication of support for a four‑bedroom plan and a possible fifth bedroom contingent on Selectmen and Board of Health referrals.
Board members pressed the applicant on the sewer‑area restriction that typically limits homes to four bedrooms in that service area; Raber said he had prepared septic calculations showing an existing flow of about 172.5 gallons and that Town staff indicated administrative review at the Board of Health could generate the necessary referral for the Selectmen. Raber also described site changes that reduced lot coverage and improved setbacks (from an encroachment by 9" to 7 feet in one place) and noted a proposed 22‑foot‑3‑inch garage height.
Members requested that the applicant add the flood‑zone delineation to the plans so Conservation can determine jurisdiction and asked the applicant to confirm which zoning section applies (the applicant and staff discussed whether section 10.2(b) or 10.2(a) was correct for the proposed conversion). The board and staff noted several technical items to be provided — the flood overlay, conservation referral evidence, clarifications on bylaw citations and a final set of plans with changes circled — before the ZBA would make a formal decision.
Chair Suzanne Murphy and other members signaled willingness to hear the proposal again and acknowledged that conditional approval tied to Selectmen/Board of Health referrals could be appropriate; the board set a follow‑up on the docket (continuation to July 9) so the applicant can return with the updated materials.
