The zoning board of appeals first addressed the application of Luke Verbist for a special permit to expand a non-conforming residential structure on Loading Place Road. The proposed expansion would add approximately 900 square feet to the house’s footprint and include dormers to extend the second floor. The applicant’s representative clarified that the addition of a guest suite was not meant to create a separate dwelling unit. The board examined the proposal’s alignment with the bylaw’s intent and its effect on the surrounding conservation land and neighborhood. After assessing these factors, the application was granted with conditions.

The second item of substantial interest was the application by David and Martha Swift for a special permit to construct an inground swimming pool on Coolidge Point Avenue. The pool, measuring 16 feet by 40 feet, would be complemented by a substantial 18800 square foot bluestone patio and a 4-foot-tall fence. The pool’s design and location were thoughtfully presented, with emphasis on minimizing visibility from surrounding properties. Noteworthy is the board’s consideration of previously approved structures on the property, such as a sports court, which set a precedent for the pool’s acceptance. The board members, after discussing the pool’s relation to property boundaries and screening measures, concluded that the installation met the necessary criteria and approved the application with conditions.

The board also deliberated over another swimming pool-related application for a property on Walker Road. This project involved a 16 by 32 foot inground gunite swimming pool and spa, featuring a pervious patio and a 6 by 6 foot raised hot tub. As with the previous pool application, the board scrutinized the project’s adherence to zoning regulations and its influence on the neighborhood’s character. With the addition of a fence and alarms on doors and windows leading to the pool area as a safety measure, the board members gave their approval, stating that the installation met all required standards.

During the meeting, the topics of future chair appointments and the progression of a 40b affordable housing project with the Housing Appeals Committee were touched upon. The discussions around these subjects reflect the board’s broader responsibilities beyond property-specific concerns.

The approvals of the pool installations on Coolidge Point Avenue and Walker Road underscore the board’s role in balancing private property rights with community standards and environmental considerations. The conditions set forth in the approvals aim to maintain neighborhood harmony and uphold the town’s aesthetic and safety standards.