The meeting’s spotlight was on the Pine Tree Drive property, where the owners sought variances to construct accessory structures near a Mediterranean Revival home built in 1935. The application proposed building a two-story guest house and a summer kitchen, requiring adjustments to the city’s minimum side yard setback regulations. The applicant, represented by architect Emily Balter, emphasized preserving the architectural integrity of the home while enhancing its functionality. Balter noted that the property, situated on a double lot with water frontage, offered unique challenges. The design aimed to maintain the property’s aesthetic appeal and minimize visual disruption to the surrounding landscape.

The board discussed three specific variances for the Pine Tree Drive project. The first variance requested a reduction in the northern side yard setback from 15 feet to 8 feet 8 inches, citing practical difficulties in preserving the historic structure. Additionally, a variance was sought for the summer kitchen’s proximity to the front yard, reducing the required 45-foot setback to 10 feet. The final variance addressed the cumulative side yard setbacks, seeking a reduction from the required 37 feet 8 inches to 18 feet 8 inches, with the staff supporting these requests to facilitate the preservation efforts.

In contrast, the North Bay Road property presented a different set of challenges. Here, the applicant sought a variance to construct a garage that would extend closer to the property line than typically allowed, maintaining the house’s historical character. The board deliberated on the implications of such a variance, particularly regarding the garage’s impact on neighborhood aesthetics. Concerns were raised about the potential for a blank wall facing a neighboring property, and suggestions included incorporating windows or other design elements to mitigate any negative visual impact.

One innovative proposal was the possibility of installing a thin horizontal window in the garage to allow natural light and enhance its appearance. The board also considered future-proofing the garage with electrical infrastructure for potential electric vehicle charging stations, despite it not being part of the current plans. A compromise was eventually reached, recommending the applicant explore adding a window on the second floor without making it a mandatory condition for approval.

The meeting concluded with logistical discussions regarding the scheduling of future meetings, highlighting potential quorum issues due to upcoming holiday travel plans. The board confirmed that the next meetings would be held on January 8 and February 7.