The board cleared five routine variances with strong support and little opposition, including pool-fence and masonry-wall legalizations, a two-family conversion, parking-lot expansion, and a porch enclosure. The standout dispute was 21 Circuit Road's parking expansion, where neighbors cited congestion and safety concerns in a shared easement; the board approved it 5-0 but noted the planning board will review traffic, drainage, and fire access. One addition at 40 Beech Road was adjourned so the applicant can negotiate with an opposing neighbor over the rear setback variance.
Meeting outcomes
- 120 Beaufort Place pool fence, masonry wall, and impervious surface legalization approved 5-0; board found features long-established, well-screened, and minimal hardship from variances.
- 21 Circuit Road seven additional parking spaces (including compact and handicap) approved 5-0 with setback variance; neighbors objected to congestion in shared easement and safety risks, but chair emphasized parking relief; planning board to address drainage, fire access, and compact-space enforcement.
- 132 Sickles Avenue one-family-to-two-family conversion approved 5-0 with FAR, lot-area, and setback variances; board cited dense neighborhood context and parking repositioning recommendation for planning board.
- 236 Clinton Avenue front-porch enclosure approved 6-0 with minimal 5% FAR increase; board found practical necessity and neighborhood consistency.
- 103 Gail Drive fourteen-by-twenty wood deck approved 5-0; shallow rear yard required setback variance and board found no feasible alternate location.
- 40 Beech Road two-story addition (1,500 sq ft, replacing 300 sq ft garage) adjourned; neighbor at 27 Springdale Road opposed the 66% rear setback variance (10 ft proposed vs. 30 ft required), citing property-value and privacy loss and rock-removal risk; applicant to revise plans and negotiate with neighbor.
- 89 Devonshire Road deck-construction extension approved 6-0; twelve-month timeline granted with no conditions or objections.