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Zoning board approves driveway setback variance at 108 Liberty Street to preserve mature spruce trees
Summary
The Beacon Zoning Board of Appeals granted an area variance allowing a driveway within 2.5 feet of a proposed lot line at 108 Liberty Street, after finding the design preserves three mature spruce trees and poses no undue neighborhood harm. The vote was unanimous.
Mike Bodendorf, the engineer for the applicant, told the Zoning Board the proposal splits the property at 108 Liberty Street into two lots and locates a new driveway in the existing driveway footprint to preserve three mature spruce trees in the frontage. “We’re here before you tonight, for a proposed 2 lot subdivision located at 108 Liberty Street,” Bodendorf said, adding the new driveway would be placed between tree 1 and tree 2 to avoid removing the trees.
Board members reviewed the statutory variance factors and raised no environmental objections, noting that preserving existing mature trees could benefit neighborhood character. Staff clarified that the driveway would sit 2.5 feet from the proposed lot line where the code normally requires a five‑foot setback. The board attached standard conditions — payment of all city fees, building permit issued within six months, construction to commence within six months of permit issuance, and a certificate of occupancy within 24 months — and voted unanimously to grant the variance. The chair called the roll and recorded four affirmative votes.
