The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed renovation of a deteriorated house on Pearl Street. The property, currently unoccupied and in disrepair, is situated on a substandard lot measuring 55 feet in width and 195 feet in depth, totaling 10,725 square feet. The zoning requirements stipulate a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet and a minimum width of 100 feet, making the lot non-conforming. The existing front yard setback is only 3.26 feet where 50 feet is required. The proposal seeks a variance for the combined side yard setback, falling short by six feet with a current total of 24 feet, while the rear yard setback exceeds requirements at over 105 feet.

The project aims to rehabilitate the existing structure and add an extension to create a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home. The proposed changes would more than double the house’s current size, adding a second floor while maintaining the original foundation. Architect Scott Nichols described plans to incorporate modern amenities and align the new design with the evolving character of the neighborhood. The proposed garage, situated at the rear of the property, and the driveway dimensions, particularly their encroachment on property lines, were key points of discussion, prompting numerous inquiries from board members.

The project also necessitates a variance for “other lot coverage,” which increased due to the addition of stairs and walkways, resulting in a total of 3,272 square feet or about 30.5%, surpassing the permitted 25%. Questions arose regarding stormwater management given the increased impervious coverage. The representative committed to submitting a lot grading and drainage plan as part of the building permit process, including provisions for stormwater mitigation through rain gardens or dry wells.

Concerns about the environmental impact were highlighted by a representative from the Environmental Commission, who emphasized the importance of retaining stormwater onsite to prevent runoff, especially in light of recent flooding in the town. The commission suggested replacing at least half of the removed trees with native species and scrutinized the discrepancy in impervious coverage calculations, which was clarified to be 30.5%.

Public comments included a resident from Fairview Avenue, Christy Arnold, who expressed concerns about stormwater management and the potential for increased runoff to her property. Arnold highlighted the area’s topography and lack of sewer infrastructure, noting her own experiences with significant runoff and flooding.

As the board deliberated, they emphasized the importance of ensuring all aspects of the application were adequately addressed before making any decisions. The discussion included the potential to reduce the size of the walkway or narrow the staircase to achieve a more acceptable impervious coverage. Suggestions were made to chamfer or round off the driveway and potentially remove a tread from the stairs to meet the board’s preference for coverage around the 29% mark.

Attention then shifted to another significant topic: the application for a property at Liberty Avenue. The applicant, Jason Joya, sought to replace an existing small patio with a roof-covered deck to accommodate a growing family. He plans to extend the existing landing, create a more usable deck area, and add a barbecue area and walkway. The property is undersized at approximately 11,800 square feet, below the minimum requirement of 15,000 square feet.

The board discussed the setbacks associated with the proposed changes. Joya modified his rear yard setback to a more compliant 15 feet from an initial 12 feet, while the existing setback was 17.7 feet. Concerns were raised about the implications of expanding impervious coverage due to the proposed roof over the deck, which was reduced from a previous figure of 32.9% to 29.9%.

Richard Ler from the Environmental Commission raised concerns about the riparian zone adjacent to the Liberty Avenue property. He stressed the importance of maintaining natural vegetated areas to minimize runoff and recommended using native plants to revegetate disturbed site areas. Ler highlighted that turf grass generates more runoff compared to natural wooded areas, and suggested rain gardens to manage stormwater effectively.

Public concerns were also voiced by Mr. Degan, a resident from Walk Avenue, regarding the elevation differences between his property and the applicant’s, which could exacerbate drainage issues and lead to privacy concerns. He noted that past renovations had already impacted his property, causing increased runoff and wet conditions.

The meeting concluded with a suggestion for the applicant to reconsider the proposed plans and return with a revised approach. The board expressed that they were not comfortable voting on the application that evening.