At 72 Fellswood Drive, the application for a new single-family residence presented by Diana McGovern drew attention due to the property’s odd shape and corner situation. The proposal, which necessitated three bulk variances for front, right side, and rear yard setbacks, included plans for a home designed to accommodate the modern family’s lifestyle, with space for working from home and children. Architect Charles Balanza presented the new construction, addressing challenges like the corner lot’s shape and setbacks and detailing the improvements in drainage and utility with the new home. The board and public members raised questions about the design’s impact on the fire hydrant and the house’s appearance from different angles. Balanza assured them that the drainage and utilities plan accounted for these concerns, and the board ultimately approved the application.

The application for a new single-family residence on Tower Road also received approval, with the applicant’s attorney, Steven Shepis, and architect John Babula emphasizing the property’s undersized nature. The board discussed the proposed setbacks. The application was unanimously approved, taking into account the property’s undersized lot and the proposed improvements in setbacks.

Another approved application involved a first-floor addition and an addition over the garage for a property on Shadow Lane Drive. The engineer and architect provided testimony regarding the proposed plans, which included two small bump-outs at the front of the building and a bedroom level over the garage, with no additional footprint addition. The board acknowledged the minimal impact of the proposed variances and the homeowner’s desire to improve their home to modern standards.

During the meeting, the board also approved an application for a two-story rear addition and deck on Ailia Avenue after the architect, Chon Wu, and the applicant addressed concerns about existing topography and building height. The applicant cited the need for the expansion to accommodate aging parents, and Wu assured the board that the attic space would not be converted into a habitable area. The board expressed satisfaction with the changes made to the plans, particularly the reduction in roof height.

The applicant reassured them regarding the effectiveness of the proposed drainage plan and the design choices made to enhance the building’s visual appeal.

In addition to approving applications, the board also discussed compliance with municipal codes. For a property on Shadow Lane Drive, the impervious coverage was noted to be well under the threshold of any major development, and the board discussed the roof runoff and drainage plans.

The meeting addressed the statutory criteria for granting variances, focusing on peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties arising from properties’ shapes and situations. Applicants justified their projects by citing benefits such as attractive design, adherence to building codes, energy efficiency standards, and the preservation of mature trees.

Board members also raised concerns about potential attic conversions and the overall building height during various presentations. Applicants offered stipulations, such as reducing attic height, to address these concerns and ensure the projects remained in harmony with the zoning regulations.