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Dartmouth ZBA approves 2.5-foot driveway variance for 38 Bliss Street
Summary
The Zoning Board approved a variance allowing a driveway at 38 Bliss Street to be located 52.5 feet from the intersection instead of the required 55 feet, finding the deviation minor and citing site topography and existing two-family structure.
The Dartmouth Zoning Board of Appeals voted July 30 to approve a variance allowing a proposed driveway at 38 Bliss Street to be 52.5 feet from the intersection, 2.5 feet short of the 55-foot requirement in Dartmouth's zoning bylaw.
Antonio Da Silva, representing the applicant and TD Design and Development Corp., told the board the proposed driveway location minimizes grading and avoids removing approximately 30 feet of arborvitae and creating a larger curb cut on the Hemlock Street side. "The proposed driveway at this intersection of Bliss Street and Hemlock Street is 52.5 feet away, requiring a 2.5 feet of relief," Da Silva said, describing site constraints and the alternative of raising the structure approximately 4 feet to meet the setback.
Board members reviewed statutory variance criteria and found site-specific shape and topography constrained placement of the driveway and that literal enforcement would cause financial hardship and be more disruptive to neighbors. The Board of Public Works had previously approved a street disturbance/curb-cut permit on June 4, 2026. After a voice vote on proposed findings and conditions, the board closed the public hearing and approved the variance, subject to standard conditions requiring the owner to secure all necessary permits and approvals from town boards and agencies.
Next steps: The decision will be memorialized with written findings and standard permit conditions; the applicant already holds a curb-cut permit from DPW.
