Newington ZBA grants variance for Edmond Street garage, requires fence be brought into compliance

The Newington Zoning Board of Appeals on July 2 granted a variance reducing the Edmond Street front‑yard setback from 35 feet to 13.8 feet (a 21.2‑foot variance) to allow construction of a 28‑by‑24‑foot attached garage at 391 Edmond Street. The motion carried on a 5–0 roll‑call vote.

Jennifer Morgenthau, the architect representing property owners Maria L. and Jose C. Rosa, described the proposal as a 28‑by‑24 two‑car attached garage that must sit in a narrow buildable area on the corner lot. "It is a 28 wide by 24 deep garage," Morgenthau told the board, and she said the lot's configuration and zoning history limit where a garage can be placed.

During deliberations the board discussed neighborhood precedent and frontage conditions. One commissioner recommended the approval include a condition to address an existing fence encroaching in the town right‑of‑way and to require front‑yard fencing comply with town regulations. "I think it's simple enough to just say update fencing to current regulations if everyone agrees," a commissioner said during the work session.

Staff corrected a drafting error in the resolution before the vote, noting the requested variance is 21.2 feet and results in a 13.8‑foot front‑yard setback. The final motion specified the variance applies to the garage only, required the removal of the encroaching fence and garden in the town right‑of‑way, and required the final plan to reflect those conditions.

Miss Gromley read the motion to the board; a roll‑call vote was taken and the motion carried 5–0. The board's decision allows the applicant to move forward with permitting once the variance certificate and recorded documentation are completed.