ZBA Grants Variance to Murphy and Donovan to Legalize Addition Aligning with Existing Garage

The Town of Clinton Zoning Board of Appeals granted a conditional area variance on Jan. 28 to allow Catherine Donovan and Gavin Murphy to align proposed additions with an existing garage that already encroaches to 34 feet from the required 50‑foot side yard setback at 489 Slate Quarry Road.

Dawn Santiago of Christina Ducharme Architecture told the board the one‑story addition would line up with the existing garage and would not increase the existing 34‑foot encroachment. "We propose that the new addition lines up with the existing condition and no longer encroaches any further than the existing 34 feet," Santiago said.

Board members reviewed the planning board's positive recommendation (the planning board vote was 4–0) and discussed the property's history, including a certificate of occupancy from the early 1980s. The ZBA added standard conditions: the applicants must obtain any wetlands permits determined necessary during building‑permit review, complete the ZEO's review with no additional violations, and pay all fees. The board also reiterated that lighting that affects roadways or adjoining property lines should be downward‑directed.

The motion to grant the variance was made and seconded; the chair announced the conditional variance was granted after affirmative votes.

Next steps: the applicants must secure any required wetlands permits and finalize building permit paperwork consistent with the zoning approval and the board's conditions.