Scituate planning board approves ADU at 78 Cathy Road with conditions

The Scituate Planning Board approved an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and addition for the property at 78 Cathy Road on June 11, finding the proposed 572‑square‑foot unit meets the town ADU size limits and zoning requirements.

Sean Hussy, the general contractor for the project, told the board the ADU will be handicap‑accessible, will have a crawlspace foundation and separate mechanical systems, and will match the house’s existing exterior finish. He said the owner, identified in the application as Cheryl A. Rice, trustee of the 78 Roady Trust, hopes her son can move in as her health declines.

The board read findings of fact into the record, including the May 18, 2026 application date and assessor‑based floor area calculations, and moved to approve the site‑plan administrative review. Conditions recorded in the motion include: a restrictive covenant barring short‑term rental to be recorded at the registry prior to occupancy; compliance with all town department approvals (building, health, DPW, fire, conservation) before occupancy; a prohibition on further ADU expansion without board review; erosion and sediment controls during construction; specific construction start/stop hours; and requirements that exterior lighting be down‑lighted so it does not shed onto neighboring properties.

The board also noted a DPW comment recommending replacement of the sewer service pipe with PVC to meet current code if the service is altered; the applicant agreed to contact DPW and, if no records can be found, to run a camera inspection to confirm prior work.

No roll‑call vote list was given on the record; the motion was seconded and approved at the meeting. The board advised the applicant that separate processes (for example, any necessary ZBA filings) may still apply before a building permit is issued.

Next procedural steps: the covenant must be recorded and other departmental approvals obtained before occupancy.