HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - ZBoA - 05/04/2015 Minutes—Zoning Board of Appeals May 4, 2015
Members Present: S. Woodworth Chittick, Chairman
Peter Goedecke
Charles Higginson
Benjamin Lacy
David McMorris
Jennifer Schultz
Others Present: Jennifer Brennan Oram,Assistant Clerk
Meeting held in the Board of Selectmen's Office,Town Hall
CONTINUED HEARINGS
APPEAL- Filed by Attorney Michael C. Hayes on behalf of his clients, Martin G. Corry,Jr. and Jane M.
Corry, of the issuance of a building permit issued for a single family home at 87 Pleasant Street. File
#15.01.16.
After a brief discussion, Chairman Chittick moved to dismiss the appeal with prejudice. Mr. Benjamin
Lacy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
VARIANCE- Filed by Kevin Duggan of Metro Sign and Awning on behalf of his clients, Connell Cohasset
Greenbush, LLC for signage at 132 Chief Justice Cushing Highway§§ 6.4 and 6.5. File#15.01.30.
Ms.Alicia Busconi distributed a document that showed the various sign designs from what is presently
on-site to what they are now proposing. After a brief discussion, Mr. Peter Goedecke moved to permit
the applicant to withdraw the application for a Variance under§§6.4 and 6.5 without prejudice. Mr.
Charles Higginson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
SPECIAL PERMIT- Filed by John Cavanaro on behalf of his clients, Paul and Jill Tedeschi,for an alteration
of the building within the required yards, and that exceeds the non-conforming building coverage, and
for an installation of a pool, walkways and building that exceeds the non-conforming lot coverage, at 19
Hobart Lane. §8.7.2. File#15.03.13
Chairman Chittick and Mr. Higginson moved away from the desk. Mr. David McMorris chaired the
hearing. After a brief discussion,the Board asked if there were any additional submissions this evening.
Mr. Can Tiryaki stated that the only submission since the previous hearing was the one that was in the
Board's packet. The Board will deliberate later in the evening.
NEW HEARINGS
SPECIAL PERMIT- Filed by John Cavanaro on behalf of his client,John Steinmetz, for construction of a
driveway and a utility within the flood zone at 1 James Island Way. §§9.7.6 &9.7.7. File#15.04.10.
Chairman Chittick asked Vice-Chairman, Peter Goedecke, to Chair this hearing. Mr. Goedecke stated
that he is technically on the abutter's list, but his property barely touches Little Harbor's Cat Dam area
on the other side of the water from the subject property and that he cannot even see James Island and
that he therefore he has no concerns about Chairing the hearing. Chairman Chittick recused himself and
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Minutes—Zoning Board of Appeals May 4, 2015
left the room. Chairman Goedecke opened the hearing. John Cavanaro and Attorney Jeffrey De Lisi
addressed the Board on behalf of his client,John Steinmetz. Attorney De Lisi stated that this is a very
unique parcel. This evening they are not seeking any approval for any structures,just for the driveway
and a utility installation.
In 2008,the Planning Board approved a Common Driveway plan that accesses two existing dwellings
and that will eventually access a third. Mr. Cavanaro addressed the board. He reviewed the plans,
explaining they are requesting relief to install a driveway that is partially in the Flood Plain to that third
structure. In 2013 the Town issued a sewer permit to this property and this is about the time Mr.
Steinmetz purchased the property. Mr. Cavanaro stated that they will have to go to the Planning Board
for a Large Home Review and to the Conservation Commission for a Notice of Intent. It is his
understanding that the Planning Board voted to recommend that the ZBA approve the application
before the Board this evening. He explained that they did not plan to change the existing driveways
width or alignment. Mr. Cavanaro has met with the Fire Department regarding the driveway. They (the
applicants and the Fire Department) agree that the driveway should remain as it is, but they will add
crushed stone and put in a hammerhead turnaround. They will need to install a water line because
what exists is not adequate to service all three of the dwellings. Attorney De Lisi added that when the
sewer line was originally installed, it was done so with an Order of Conditions from the Conservation
Commission. Mr. Cavanaro then reviewed the proposed driveway extension plan explaining that two
parts of it go into the Flood Plain.They will be able to follow the contour of the existing land without
changing the overall foot print of the Flood Plain. They were working with a landscape architect so that
the driveway is non-structural and low-impact using crushed stone with drains in two areas. They will
not be using catch basins or pipes, so they will be impacting 120 feet in one area and 200 feet in the
other. Mr. Cavanaro stated the impact will be de minimis.
Chairman Goedecke asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak. Mr. Stephen Brown of 275
Jerusalem Road addressed the Board. He stated that he was part of the group that worked to get this
area sewered. Mr. Brown asked a series of questions regarding the driveway. He then submitted
photos showing flooding in 1978 and the phragmites and algae issues of inner little harbor. Mr. Brown
is concerned about the flooding and suggested the applicant speak to the Fire Department about the
flooding.
After additional discussion, Mr. Lacy moved to continue the hearing. Mr. Higginson seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous.
Chairman Chittick returned to the meeting.
CONTINUED HEARING/DELIBERATIONS
SPECIAL PERMIT- Filed by Christopher McKenna. 808 Jerusalem Road, seeks to build 4 one-bedroom
apartments at 808 Jerusalem Road. §4.2 and §8.7.2. File 15.01.09A.
After an extensive discussion, Chairman Chittick moved to grant the withdrawal without prejudice. Mr.
Higginson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
SPECIAL PERMIT- Filed by John Cavanaro on behalf of his clients, Paul and Jill Tedeschi,for an alteration
of the building within the required yards and that exceeds the non-conforming building coverage, and
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Minutes—Zoning Board of Appeals May 4, 2015
for an installation of a pool, walkways and building that exceeds the non-conforming lot coverage, at 19
Hobart Lane. §8.7.2. File#15.03.13
Chairman Chittick recused himself from this deliberation and moved to a seat in the audience. After
discussion, Mr. David McMorris moved to grant the relief sought under§8.7.2. Ms.Jennifer Schultz
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Zoning Board Business
The Board agreed that the date of their next meeting would be Monday,June 8, 2015.
Chairman Chittick moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:15PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Brennan Oram
Assistant Clerk, Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals
Documents:
Submission from Connell Real Estate and Keypoint partners reviewing the various sign designs.
Document date stamped May 4, 2015.
19 Hobart Lane—Submission dated April 22, 2015 from Cavanaro Consulting regarding Revised Sketches
—Portions of Main Dwelling in Building Setbacks.
Photos submitted from Mr. Stephen Brown.
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