The property on Surf Street, owned by David Mayor, became a focal point of the meeting due to the owner’s intention to tear down the existing structure and rebuild on the same foundation. Mayor’s testimony highlighted the house’s damage from Superstorm Sandy and its unsuitability for a modern family, noting the awkward layout and insufficient living space. The board heard from witnesses including David Feldman, Andrew Jenna, and Jennifer White, who provided details on the application. Despite some opposition, the application was approved, with the board requiring a roll call vote.

The board’s discussions regarding the Surf Street property also touched on other matters, such as the compliance with V-zone requirements and the foundation’s dimensions. The property owner assured the board of personal use for the house and the intention not to alter the foundation’s footprint. Architect David Feldman addressed concerns regarding the property’s parking spaces. The board and architect debated the number of parking spaces needed according to local ordinances and Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS) rules. The board insisted on adherence to local zoning regulations, expressing concerns over the proposed parking arrangement.

Concerns about the number of bedrooms in the property came under scrutiny as the board questioned the necessity of five bedrooms, which, paired with inadequate parking, could lead to potential issues in the neighborhood. The board was apprehensive about the property being used as an Airbnb boarding house, which could create overcrowding and disturbances. In response to these concerns, the applicant agreed to modify the plans, reducing the number of bedrooms to four and adjusting the parking layout to meet the board’s requirements.

Further complications arose around the issue of rear yard setback and parking spaces, with the board engineer pointing out the challenges of accommodating three full-sized cars. The possibility of enclosing the rear area to increase interior space was discussed, which would affect the total parking space required. The board deliberated on the potential need for a variance for the proposed parking spaces.

The placement of mechanical equipment for the property was debated in detail, considering the roof and deck level options for compliance with setback requirements and flood zone regulations. The board expressed a strong preference for meeting setback requirements without compromising parking spaces. The engineer’s testimony helped clarify the variances being requested and their impact on the property’s setbacks and coverage. The board also addressed the rear yard setback and building coverage variances, with the engineer assuring slight improvements to existing conditions and compliance with drainage and sidewalk maintenance standards.

The professional planner’s testimony supported the requested variances, linking the need for reconstruction with the community’s master plan and character. The planner emphasized that the variances would not generate excessive traffic, drainage issues, or noise, and aligned with the community’s vision for redevelopment.

Ultimately, the board approved the application with conditions, including restricting mechanical equipment in setbacks, adhering to setback requirements, removing certain walls, redirecting downspouts, and replacing damaged curbs and sidewalks. The board also discussed bonding for curb and sidewalk replacements and required revisions to the site plan to correct discrepancies.

In addition to the above matters, the meeting commenced with the swearing-in of Frank Lawrence as a class two member and the election of board officers, with C. Lance Cunningham appointed as chair and David DeSio as vice chair. The board also voted to retain Benjamin A. Montenegro as the board attorney, David J. Hoder as the board engineer, and Jennifer Beahm as the board planner. The official meeting schedule and newspapers for the upcoming year were established, and past meeting minutes were approved.