Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Area Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning board approves variances for Morocco Enterprises woodworking facility at 898 Washington
Summary
The board approved area and parking variances to rehabilitate a 1936 vacant building at 898 Washington for a small woodworking manufacturing facility, allowing a reduced setback and limited parking tied to the applicant’s stated plan for four employees and an appointment‑only showroom.
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant area and parking variances for Morocco Enterprises at 898 Washington, enabling rehabilitation of a 1936 building into a small woodworking facility with a limited showroom.
Architect Marco Mandra said the project “includes revitalizing an existing vacant building for a new woodworking facility” and told the board the facility would have “no more than 4 employees at once” with the public showroom operating by appointment only. He also acknowledged a minor discrepancy between the plan and the survey on a side‑yard setback that will be corrected on final drawings.
Members questioned how growth beyond four employees would be handled and who would enforce conditions such as appointment‑only visitation or employee caps. Staff explained that parking calculations are based on employee counts and that either the ZBA or planning commission could impose conditions through variance language or site‑plan review.
Board members found that reusing a preexisting nonconforming building and the proposed improvements weighed in favor of relief and approved the requested variances.
