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Zoning board approves apron widening but limits main driveway expansion for Michael Sysdi
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals granted Michael Sysdi permission to widen his driveway apron to the full width of his driveway but required the upper portion of the driveway to remain at the existing setback; approval is conditioned on obtaining the highway superintendent's sign-off.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a limited variance allowing homeowner Michael Sysdi to widen the apron of his driveway, but the board required the upper portion of the driveway to remain at the existing setback from the property line.
At a public meeting, Sysdi said he has lived at 230 Leharve Drive for more than three decades and wants to replace a deteriorated asphalt driveway and make it easier to park and clear snow. “We’re trying to beautify the neighborhood,” Sysdi told the board, explaining the work would let his vehicles pull straight in rather than angling from the curb.
Board members pressed for clarity about the existing setback and the possible impact on adjacent property. Members noted zoning rules require a 5-foot setback from property lines and that allowing vehicles to intrude on a neighbor’s property creates recurring boundary disputes. The board acknowledged some neighboring driveways already extend near or to property lines but said the board lacked records about those prior cases and would not assume prior variances were properly recorded.
After discussion about alternatives — including shifting the widening away from the neighbor or moving an existing fence — the board approved a motion to allow the apron to be widened up to the full width of the driveway while keeping the upper portion of the driveway at the existing two-foot setback. The approval is conditional on the applicant obtaining approval from the highway superintendent for any curb cut and bringing the superintendent’s letter of non-objection to the building department.
Chair (speaker 1) summarized the condition and the board’s preference for a buffer, and staff told the applicant he could take the board’s approval to the highway department to secure the curb-cut permit. Sysdi was told the town does not perform curb cuts and that the contractor may perform that work once permits are obtained.
The board’s action allows Sysdi to replace and regrade the driveway in its current alignment while restricting expansion past the granted apron width until any additional variance or approvals are obtained.
