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Sherman P&Z unanimously approves two accessory residential units
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the Town of Sherman Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved a 400 sq. ft. accessory apartment at 13 A Osborn Road and an 840 sq. ft. accessory dwelling at 5 Crooked Furrows Road; both approvals met cited zoning criteria and drew no opposition during public hearings.
Sherman — The Town of Sherman Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved two special permits for accessory residential units at its May 7, 2026 meeting at Mallory Town Hall.
Chair C. Dacunha opened the first public hearing for an application from Corrie Fisher seeking a 400-square-foot accessory apartment within the footprint of an existing 40-by-40-foot garage at 13 A Osborn Road. Administrative Clerk C. Branson reviewed file materials, which included a health department approval (March 13, 2026), an A‑2 survey by NOK Civil Engineering & Land Surveying dated Feb. 12, 2026, architectural drawings and documentation showing two off‑street parking spaces. The Commission conducted a site walk on April 20. No members of the public spoke in opposition.
The Commission found the Fisher application consistent with Zoning Regulation Section 324.1.A.2 and, after deliberation, Commissioner P. Voorhees moved to approve the special permit. The motion, seconded by J. Burruano, passed unanimously.
The Commission then opened and considered a second application from Peter and Jennifer Wolgast for an 840-square-foot accessory dwelling located on the second floor of an existing 28-by-30-foot garage at 5 Crooked Furrows Road. Submitted materials included floor plans prepared by ADS Arch‑Design Services and a property survey by John M. Farnsworth & Associates (Feb. 14, 2026). The applicants told the Commission they intend to construct a new primary dwelling within roughly two years, at which point the existing living area above the garage would become the accessory unit; the transcript records that the applicants described this future structure as “NSFD” (as used in the record). A member of the public asked for confirmation that the application covers a two‑story primary house with an accessory dwelling above the garage; the Chair confirmed that representation.
Commissioners concluded the Wolgast application met the criteria in Zoning Regulations Sections 324.1.A.1 and 324.1.A.1.e (the latter permitting change of use when a new primary dwelling is completed). Commissioner J. Seigel moved to approve the permit; Commissioner J. Burruano seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Votes at a glance: both special permits were approved unanimously; the Fisher approval was moved by P. Voorhees and seconded by J. Burruano; the Wolgast approval was moved by J. Seigel and seconded by J. Burruano. Recorded minutes show the Commission’s votes as “For: Unanimous.”
The meeting also approved routine minutes and site‑walk minutes from April 9 and April 20, respectively, and authorized payment of two legal invoices. The Commission adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Why it matters: Accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units are commonly used in Sherman to increase rental options while keeping neighborhood scale; the Commission’s approvals here reflect the applications’ compliance with local zoning standards and supporting health and survey documentation.
