HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - ZBoA - 10/03/2017 APPROVED MINUTES
COHASSET ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DATE: Tuesday, October 3,2017
TIME: 7:30 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—Selectmen's Meeting Room
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE,COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: S. Woodworth Chittick, Chairman(WC)
Peter Goedecke,Vice Chairman (PG)
Charles Higginson(CH)
Benjamin Lacy,Associate Member(BL)
David McMorris,Associate Member(DM)
Matthew Watkins,Associate Member(MW)
Assistant Clerk Present: Jennifer Oram,Assistant Clerk, ZBA
Chairman S. Woodworth Chittick opened the meeting at 7:30PM. He introduced the Board. All members present.
The Board confirmed the next meeting of the Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals as Tuesday,November 7,2017.
CONTINUED HEARINGS
SPECIAL PERMIT—Filed by Cavanaro Consulting,on behalf of their client,Roger Wade. Special Permit
PerK7.5 and 44 and any further relief as the Board deems appropriate. Applicant seeks to construct a
Residential Dock at 73 Whitehead Road. File#17.08.07.
In attendance for this hearing: John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting
Documents for this hearing: No new documents
Chairman Chittick asked if any additional information had been submitted. There had been none. He asked if the
Board had any further comments or questions for the applicants. Member Charles Higginson noted that on the
Deed for this property,there is a restriction on lots 2, 3,4 and 5;he stated all of them have rights to the beach
where the dock would be constructed. Mr. John Cavanaro stated the applicant/landowner of 73 Whitehead Road
would not be severing those rights. Chairman Chittick said that he did not believe this is the purview of the Board
and that issues like this, if there were any,would go to the Land Court. Mr. Higginson thinks the neighbors should
talk it out. Chairman Chittick and Mr. McMorris do not think it's a zoning matter. After further discussion:
MOTION BY CHAIRMAN CHITTICK: TO CLOSE THE HEARING
SECONDED: MEMBER MCMORRIS
VOTE: 2-1,WC AND PG FOR, CH AGAINST,MOTION CARRIES
SPECIAL PERMIT—Filed by Attorney Richard Henderson,on behalf of his client,the South Shore
Hellenic Church,Inc. Special Permit per 48.7.2 and 49.7 and any further relief as the Board deems
appropriate. Applicant seeks to construct a two story addition on an existing foundation at 811 and 819
Jerusalem Road.File#17.08.14.
In attendance for this hearing: Attorney Richard Henderson and Clark Brewer,Architect AIA,NCARB,LEED
AP
Documents for this hearing: Design Option 2,prepared by Clark Brewer and date stamped 9/28/17,Existing
Conditions and Site Plan prepared by Cavanaro Consulting, dated 8/3/17, date stamped 9/28/17. All documents on
file with the ZBA.
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APPROVED MINUTES
Chairman Chittick reviewed the discussions from the previous hearing in September. He asked Mr. Brewer to
review any changes that have been made to the original proposal.
Mr. Brewer addressed the Board. Based upon a number of comments at the previous meeting,they are changing
the approach for the parking. The side to the East will remain grassy for reserved parking. They will put up a
partial fence/enclosure at the service entrance. They have moved the HVAC to a new corner that will not impact
the residences. They have tucked the dumpster behind the service entrance. In regard to the entrance,they are
mounting a motion censored light near the service entrance. They will not have tall lights or use flood lights. For
landscape,they are maintaining the landscaping in front of the addition. Mr. Ed Lochran of the Greek Church
addressed the Board. He stated that they had met with the abutters. There has been a long standing flooding issue
in the area and they have been meeting with the Town to try and come up with a solution to address it. The Town
agreed to run a camera through the drainage pipe. He added that they did talk to the neighbors about the function
times and about the proposed dumpster location and the times for pick-up for the dumpster. There was further
discussion regarding events and the times they should end. Chairman Chittick explained the times that are adhered
to in other parts of Town in other church function halls; they are 1 OPM Sunday—Thursday and 11 PM Fridays and
Saturdays.
Mr. Cavanaro reviewed the drainage work that would be done on the site to address the longstanding issues that
have existed on this property. They are adding drainage capacity to take on additions flow,but they are also taking
some of the flow off of their property. They are also going before the Conservation Commission.
Attorney Henderson briefly reviewed the criteria to meet relief under §9.7.8 and§8.7. The property is not subject
to flooding or tidal action and it is not below elevation 10. For §8.7, it's an extension of a non-conforming use,
they are proposing a drainage system and the property is on public sewer.
Chairman Chittick opened the meeting to the public. Mr. Jeffrey Palopoli of 802 Jerusalem Road addressed the
Board. He and his wife have been good neighbors to the church. They have young children and their bedrooms
face the church. They are concerned about the noise and the hours of the functions. They are also concerned about
the parking. On Sundays,when there is Mass, attendees park in the front of their house,they are fine with that,but
adding more events causes them concern. Cynthia Casey of 821A Jerusalem Road stated that she is appalled that
they are proposing to place a dumpster outside of her front door; they should put it on the other side of the church.
She is also concerned about the kind of animals would be attracted to the dumpster and the odor of it as well. She
is also very concerned about drainage. She already has three sump-pumps and a generator. She wants to know what
provisions are going to be made to protect her and the other residents of her building. Mr. Lochran of the Church
addressed the group. He stated that the function hall will basically act as a community center for the church. They
will monitor it. They are good neighbors. Ms. Angela Lochran added that they need the center for the children to
have a place for Sunday school and so other community groups have a place to meet. They have fundraisers,
weddings,baptisms and one Tavema. She feels they have been really good neighbors.
Member McMorris thinks the dumpster should be moved. He feels the neighbors have a legitimate concern
regarding its location. He added that the applicants did a great job with the lighting and drainage. After further
discussion:
MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRMAN GOEDECKE: TO CONTINUE THE HEARING
SECONDED: MEMBER BENJAMIN LACY
VOTE: 6-0 MOTION CARRIES
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APPROVED MINUTES
DELIBERATIONS
SPECIAL PERMIT—Filed by Cavanaro Consulting,on behalf of their client,Roger Wade. Special Permit
Per 0.7.5 and &4 and any further relief as the Board deems appropriate. Applicant seeks to construct a
Residential Dock at 73 Whitehead Road. File#17.08.07.
The Board reviewed the draft decision written by Mr. McMorris. Mr. McMorris said that he sees Mr. Higginson's
point,regarding neighbor's beach rights,however he does not feel it's under the Zoning Board's jurisdiction. After
some discussion:
MOTION BY CHAIRMAN CHITTICK: TO APPROVE THE DECISION AND GRANT THE
RELIEF SOUGHT FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT
UNDER§§9.7.5 and§8.7.
SECONDED: VICE-CHAIRMAN GOEDECKE
VOTE: 2-1 MOTION CARRIES (WC,PG FOR,CH
AGAINST)
Chairman Chittick moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Goedecke seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:40PM.
Respectfully,
Jennifer Brennan Oram
Assistant Clerk,Zoning Board of Appeals
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