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Applicant told to re-advertise after increasing proposed garage height; ZBA continues variance to next month
Summary
Adrian Bellis sought variances to build a large accessory structure; board members pressed for justification of a 25-foot peak after plans showed conflicting measurements and staff said the change requires re-advertising. The ZBA accepted a resolution to continue the matter to next month pending additional documentation.
Applicant Adrian Bellis appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals seeking relief on two blocked items: a height variance to permit a private garage up to 25 feet where the town code limits accessory structures to 15 feet and relief for a larger accessory structure footprint. Bellis said he had previously submitted site-plan materials to the planning board and believed they should have been available to the ZBA.
Bellis told the board there were conflicting roof-peak measurements on the drawings and that his builder suggested listing 25 feet 6 inches as a buffer; board members cautioned that increasing the stated height triggers additional notice requirements. Town staff said they had not received the written responses requested after the June meeting and that "the town attorney advised that we have to re-advertise public hearings for the structure." The board voted to accept the resolution to continue the matter to next month and asked the applicant to provide builder- or engineer-signed documentation justifying the proposed roof pitch and peak.
During the exchange Bellis said he reduced the proposed structure's footprint from about 4,320 square feet to roughly 3,600 square feet to lower costs and explained the structure is intended to be a single-level ranch to meet his personal accessibility needs. Board members asked for concrete evidence that 25 feet is the minimum feasible peak, suggesting alternatives such as reducing sidewall height or changing building proportions; staff and the applicant agreed Bellis would supply the additional materials for staff review before the next hearing.
