Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variances topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrison Zoning Board approves several homeowner variances, preserves engineering review for others
Summary
The Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals on July 9 approved multiple homeowner variances — including installations of HVAC condensers, a kitchen addition and a pergola — while adjourning or conditioning items that raised neighbor or technical concerns.
The Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals approved a series of homeowner variance requests at its July 9 meeting, granting relief for mechanical equipment, a kitchen addition and a pergola while adjourning or conditioning several other items that drew concern about drainage, screening and technical review.
The board unanimously approved a request for Hilltop Place (Z262219) to locate six condensate/heat-pump units on the side of a house about 18.5 feet from the property line after the applicant testified the units will be mounted about 42 inches high and operate roughly 50–54 dBA. Homeowner Maggie Flashins identified herself at the mic as the applicant; contractor Luis Olvina described the equipment and said the nearest neighbor had been told about the plan.
The board also approved a setback variance for a kitchen addition and deck at 1 Old Lake Street (Z2624101). Applicant James Glover said the existing home is a preexisting nonconforming structure built in 1933; he asked for roughly a 23-foot reduction from the 50-foot setback to allow a 10-foot addition and modest deck. After reviewing survey and sightline issues and noting no written opposition, members closed the hearing and voted to grant the relief.
A pergola constructed at 6 Harrison Street (Z26276) also won approval. The architect described the unusual lot shape and the board acknowledged receipt of multiple letters supporting the application; several members said the thresholds for relief were satisfied.
Other items were handled differently: the board adjourned 606 Purchase Street (Z260112) and 21 Braxmore Drive South (Z2618) either for lack of applicant appearance or at the applicant's request. A proposed sports court on Bridge Manor Road (Z2626) was continued to give the applicant time to supply photographs and a landscape/screening plan and to allow a potential site visit.
Votes at a glance
- Z262219 (Hilltop Place): approved (variance for six condensers, unanimous) - Z2624101 (Old Lake Street): approved (setback variance for addition/deck, unanimous) - Z2625157 (Anderson Hill Road): approved, contingent on engineering sign-off (see separate discussion) - Z26276 (Harrison Street pergola): approved (front/side yard relief, unanimous) - Z2626 (Bridge Manor Road sports court): adjourned for photos/landscaping/site visit - Z260112 (606 Purchase Street): adjourned for applicant non-appearance - Z2618 (21 Braxmore Drive South): adjourned at applicant request
"I don't have a problem with this," the chair said repeatedly while moderating individual hearings, then moved each item through the board's procedural steps. Several approvals were explicitly conditioned on obtaining any required engineering and building-department sign-offs before permits are issued.
Why it matters
The approvals clear the way for homeowners to proceed with repairs, additions and outdoor amenities, but the board emphasized that final permitting remains subject to technical review by town engineers and building officials. Where neighbors or technical issues were raised — as with stormwater and sports-court screening — the board either required further documentation or postponed action.
What comes next
Permits will proceed for approved items once engineering and building-department conditions are satisfied. Applicants whose matters were adjourned must submit requested materials or appear at the next ZBA meeting.
