Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nonconforming Structures topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident seeks zoning path to expand 1907 Bolton home to accommodate growing family
Summary
At its Nov. 13 meeting the Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission discussed options for a resident seeking to expand the second story of a nonconforming 1907 house to add bedrooms for a family of five; staff advised a variance would be quicker than a town‑wide text amendment but requires a licensed survey.
Tyler Clark told the Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 13 that his 1907 Carpenter Road house is one and a half stories and that his “family has recently grown to a family of five,” leaving his three children to share the single upstairs bedroom. He asked whether the commission could amend regulations to allow a vertical expansion or whether he must pursue a variance through the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Patrice Carson, consulting director of community development, told Clark the commission could pursue a text amendment but that a change would have to be drafted, sent to the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) for review and scheduled for a public hearing — a process that could be slower than the variance route. Zoning enforcement officer Michael D'Amato said a licensed surveyor is required to show the distance to the applicable setback because the ZBA needs the exact measurement when considering a variance.
Commissioners discussed tradeoffs. A variance would apply only to Clark’s property but requires proof of the existing setback encroachment; a text amendment could be written to allow vertical expansions for properties predating zoning (for example, homes built before 1951) but would apply town‑wide. Several commissioners expressed support for helping residents who need additional living space; Tom Manning suggested a narrowly drafted amendment might avoid unnecessary surveys for pre‑zoning homes, while Patrice Carson reiterated that changing the regulation would affect all properties in the zone and would trigger CRCOG review.
Clark said he would draft proposed regulation language for the commission to consider. Tom Crockett said he would check whether the neighboring Town of Manchester has a boundary survey that might help; staff advised Clark to work with planning staff on the application and related materials.
Next steps: Clark will prepare proposed language for the commission’s review; staff recommended he also consider applying to the ZBA and obtaining a survey if he wants a faster outcome. No formal zoning change was approved at the meeting.
