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Zoning board amends 1965 restriction, approves setback variance for 6 Walker Street
Summary
The Town of Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals on July 15 amended a 1965 variance condition and granted a new side-setback variance to allow an attached garage at 6 Walker Street after finding practical difficulty due to lot shape, septic location and topography. The decision will be filed within 14 days.
The Town of Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously July 15 to amend a 1965 variance condition and grant a new side‑setback variance allowing an attached garage at 6 Walker Street.
Daniel Ford, the petitioner, told the board he wants to add an attached garage on the left side of his house because the lot shape, existing septic and proximity of neighboring homes make placing a garage on the right side impractical. "We were seeking to build a garage, an attached garage to our home... building on the left side of our home is really the only place we'd be able to do that reasonably," Ford said during the public hearing.
Board members reviewed a detailed application packet and two written letters from neighbors in support. The board discussed whether to amend a 1965 condition that had barred any building within 30 feet of either side property line, and whether to grant relief under the state’s recently enacted standard requiring findings that strict enforcement would result in a "practical difficulty." Members cited the lot shape, topography and the location of the septic and leach field as limiting the petitioner’s options.
Committee member (speaker) summarized the board’s proposed findings by saying the application met the criteria because the petitioner had limited alternatives on the lot and the proposed change would not be materially detrimental to neighborhood health, safety or welfare. The board debated whether to specify a numeric relief amount or adopt the requested dimension; the petition asked for a 6.5‑foot side setback.
After closing the public hearing, the board made a motion to amend the 1965 restriction and grant the relief as requested. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Laura (Clerk) told the petitioner the board has 14 days to file a written decision with the town clerk; once the decision is filed there is a 20‑day appeal period. "Once it's filed with the town clerk, there's a 20 day appeal period... then you'll be good to go building permits," she said.
The board recorded findings referencing the new state standard and the parcel’s preexisting nonconforming conditions. The petitioner may record the decision at the Worcester Registry of Deeds after the appeal period expires.
Next steps: the clerk will prepare and file the written decision within two weeks; any appeal must be filed within 20 days after that filing.
