Middlebury planning commission approves accessory apartment at 170 Mirey Dam Road

The Middlebury Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 5 to approve a special exception for an accessory apartment at 170 Mirey Dam Road.

Architect Gary Nurnberger presented plans showing a two-car garage with a one-bedroom apartment above it, designed to match the existing Tudor-style house. The application states the unit will house two relatives (the applicant’s in-laws); the municipal health authority reviewed soils tests and approved the additional bedroom, and the existing septic system was found adequate with a reserve area identified if needed. The project includes two additional off-street parking spaces.

Under the commission’s zoning rules for accessory apartments (Sec. 21.2.1), the accessory unit must not exceed 30% of the principal dwelling’s finished floor area. The submitted compliance sheet documents a principal dwelling subtotal of 4,162 square feet and an accessory apartment of 1,102.5 square feet, equal to about 26.4% of the dwelling, which the commission recorded as meeting the dimensional threshold. The application also specifies one bedroom and a maximum of two occupants.

A motion to close the public hearing was made by Commissioner Matthew Robison and seconded by Commissioner Paul Anderson; the body closed the hearing and, on new business, voted to approve the application as submitted. The record shows the vote passed unanimously. The commission noted that a building permit and any required state or municipal approvals remain separate prerequisites before work commences.

The commission adjourned at 7:19 p.m.