Board grants variance for Chester Road Partners' 121-unit proposal; 45 units below standard size

The Avon Board of Zoning and Building Appeals approved, by a 3–2 vote on Jan. 7, a variance allowing 45 units to be built below the 1,400-square-foot dwelling-unit area requirement for a 121-unit multi-family Phase 1 development proposed by Chester Road Partners (Petros Homes).

Greg Modic of Petros Homes presented the variance request. Pam Fechter, the city's planning coordinator, provided a detailed breakdown showing many units were only slightly under the standard: 32 “Cornell” units were roughly 100 sq. ft. below the requirement, and the Dartmouth units were about 73 sq. ft. smaller. Fechter said the developer is offering one-bedroom units at 880 sq. ft. (above the 800 sq. ft. minimum for one-bedroom units), and noted the administration permits a 10% variation in unit size so long as units do not drop to efficiency sizes near 600 sq. ft. Fechter also reminded the board that City Council passed ordinance 120-25 imposing a one-year moratorium on new R3 (multi-family residential) development to allow code revisions and to better address local housing objectives, including senior housing. The motion to approve carried on a 3–2 roll call: Bulger yes; Hricovec no; Miller yes; Schatschneider no; Ladegaard yes.