Foxboro ZBA permits conversion of 51 Mechanic Street to two‑family; neighbor raises parking and septic concerns

The Foxboro Zoning Board of Appeals voted June 25 to grant a special permit allowing an attached rear addition and conversion of a single‑family home at 51 Mechanic Street into a two‑family dwelling.

Applicant Christopher Retos described plans to attach an addition to the back of the existing house and to upgrade or replace the septic system to serve both units. He said the existing house is roughly 1,700 square feet and the new unit in back would be similar in size. ‘‘We’re looking to do . . . an attached right to the back,’’ Retos told the board, adding that the property has room for a septic or a potential sewer tie‑in.

A neighbor who identified herself as Kelly of 49 Mechanic Street said she had not understood the project would become a duplex and voiced concerns about sideyard setbacks, a small frontage, parking, snow removal and septic siting. The board responded that two‑family dwellings are allowed in the R15 district but that a special permit is required when habitable floor area increases by 25 percent or more; it reviewed the zoning factors (community need, traffic/parking, utilities, neighborhood character, environmental impacts, and fiscal effects) and found the proposal did not create a ‘‘substantial detriment’’ under the bylaw.

The board approved the permit subject to three conditions mirroring other decisions: adherence to the certified plot plan (including front, side and rear setbacks), a limit on the proposed addition to not more than 1,700 square feet of habitable area (final plans to be attached), and exterior materials to be comparable in type and color to the existing dwelling. The board noted the applicant must obtain any required health‑department approvals for septic design and that no certificate of occupancy will be issued without health‑department sign‑off.

The board closed the hearing and voted to approve the special permit.