Commission approves large additions and ADU at 68 North Cove Road with plan clarifications required

The Zoning Commission voted 5–0 on July 20 to approve a special exception for additions and an accessory dwelling unit at 68 North Cove Road that will raise the property’s total gross floor area to 9,008 square feet.

Applicant agent Joe Wren and technical lead Dave Noe presented plans to demolish an existing pool, enclose an existing porch, add dormers and construct a detached three‑car garage with an ADU above. Wren said the project is residential and will not be used for public events; drainage and stormwater treatment measures, including a proposed dry well and crushed stone parking to reduce runoff, were included in the plan set.

Commissioners requested clarifications on the gross floor area calculation — specifically whether unfinished attic area counts toward the floor area and how a 0.5‑story attic should be treated — and asked the applicant to provide building height numbers for both the main house and the ADU. Dave Noe pledged to add the height and square‑footage calculations to the drawings and to provide them before the next submission. The applicant also agreed to provide evidence of health approval (already obtained June 11) and to address any remaining Gateway comments.

Chair Mark Calarella summarized the conditions by asking the applicant to submit an updated site plan showing the gross floor area, the 0.5‑story calculation and confirmations that the proposal is consistent with coastal policies. The commission’s approval requires those clarifications and a subsequent staff check of the revised submissions.