Board denies side-yard variance request for garage addition at 366 West Street

The Bolton Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3–2 on Nov. 12 to deny a side-yard variance request for an addition at 366 West Street.

Attorney Stephen Penny, representing the applicant (parcel listed as owned by Caitlin O’Neil), told the board the lot is bordered entirely by residences, is nearly three times the average lot size and includes sharp drop-offs front and rear that retain water. He argued those topographic conditions were not self-created and that placing the addition on the existing garage would preserve the view and avoid obstructing neighbors. The applicant said the intended use of the addition was to store an RV and additional vehicles; the minutes also note the property currently contains four garage bays.

Board members pressed for alternatives. Member William Pike said historically the ZBA looks for alternatives that avoid variances and described the proposed roughly 50-by-30 bay and an effective increase to about five-and-a-half garage bays as excessive. Member Anne Decker said the land appeared to be maximally used already and questioned whether the need justified a variance. Member Jonathan Treat moved to deny the variance for lack of hardship; Decker seconded the motion, which passed 3–2–0.

The board’s denial means the applicant must either redesign the project to fit within existing setbacks or seek other alternatives; the minutes include questions and suggestions from members about reconfiguring existing garage space to avoid a variance. The minutes do not record any immediate follow-up approvals or permits.