18:25The primary focus of the meeting was the application for zoning variances presented on behalf of Kevin and Devin Barck, who are planning to build a new home on their recently purchased property on Edge Stone Road. The property, located in the R2 Zone, is undersized with a lot area of 3,978 square feet, falling short of the required 6,340 square feet. Similarly, the lot width and frontage are below the R2 standards of 75 feet and 100 feet, respectively. Despite these deviations, the board was moved by the presentation that emphasized the family’s need to accommodate their five children and the challenges posed by the existing neighborhood layout.

0:06The representative for the Barck family, Ryan Kennedy, explained that the existing property is not only undersized but also part of a broader pattern of non-conformity in the area. None of the 34 lots in the neighborhood meet the R2 zoning bulk requirements. Kennedy highlighted that acquiring additional land from adjacent properties would only worsen the non-conformities of those lots, making it an unfeasible solution. He assured the board that the proposed home design aligns with neighborhood character ordinances, having been reviewed by the municipal zoning officer.

18:25A board member inquired about previous variances granted to an adjacent lot in 2019, which had allowed for a substantial new home to be constructed. This inquiry underscored the precedence for granting variances in the area due to similar constraints. Another member raised concerns about the preservation of mature trees on the property, to which Kennedy responded that they would follow all municipal regulations and obtain necessary approvals should any trees be affected during construction.

After considering the uniqueness of the lot’s narrowness and the absence of alternative remedies, the board moved to approve the variances. The motion was seen as straightforward given the circumstances, and the approval was unanimously granted following a roll call vote. The decision was met with gratitude from the applicant’s representative, who acknowledged the board’s understanding of the situation.

0:06In addition to the primary agenda, the meeting also addressed routine items such as the review and approval of previous meeting minutes and the Zoning Board of Adjustment Activity Report for 2024. The board briefly discussed and unanimously approved two resolutions concerning properties on Kingston Road and Cleveland Lane.

18:25Despite the issues surrounding the Edge Stone Road application, the meeting concluded with light-hearted remarks about its brevity, with some attendees jesting that it was the shortest meeting in over a decade.