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Applicants say County Route 8 lot fails several dimensional standards; ZBA limited to setback relief
Summary
Douglas Larson told the ZBA the property at 2 County Route 8 is about 0.333 acres (zoning minimum 0.5), has a 74'5" width (minimum 75') and a 3-inch corner setback shortfall; the board said it can consider only area/setback variances and will ask applicants to submit specific relief requests in writing.
Doug Larson, who identified himself as the applicant and an architect, gave the board a line-by-line account of which parts of the zoning code he expected would require relief if the conversion proceeds.
"So the lot is only 0.333 of an acre approximately when the minimum lot size is 0.5 an acre," Larson said, and he later quantified the setback shortfall: "So that dimension is 19 feet 7 when 20 feet is required. So we need relief of 3 inches." Larson also said the lot's width is 74 feet 5 inches and that parking and lot-coverage calculations depend on whether crushed-stone parking is treated as pervious or impervious.
The ZBA reiterated it can consider area variances—for example, reduced side or front setbacks—but that other matters such as lot size, lot coverage and the minimum dwelling-unit size fall under the Planning Board's authority or require a Planning Board waiver. The applicants were instructed to file a written, specific request (including the 3-inch setback) for the ZBA to place on the agenda for a public hearing.
Board members suggested applicants might consider dropping a potential third apartment to reduce the need for Planning Board waivers and simplify the review process. The ZBA said it will prepare a letter to the Planning Board outlining which items are outside ZBA jurisdiction.
