Board grants variances for small rear addition at 15 Van Dorn Street

The Somerville Borough Zoning Board approved variances for a small rear addition at 15 Van Dorn Street after hearing testimony from the property owner, Thomas Marcinzic, and the architect, James Ramentol of GRA Architects.

Ramentol presented drawings and photos, describing the project as a one-story mudroom and full bathroom totaling roughly 90 square feet. He said the lot is narrow (about 50 feet wide), that the existing side-yard setback of 7.5 feet would be maintained and that the increase in lot coverage to approximately 42.4 percent (40 percent permitted) results primarily from the infill of a previously covered porch.

The architect said the foundation for the addition is a crawl space and that roof runoff will continue to drain into an existing underground system; he told the board the project preserves existing walkways and sight lines. The planner asked about notice and confirmed public notice had been provided; the applicant said notifications were submitted to board staff last week.

After board discussion the members moved and seconded approval. The board’s roll call recorded unanimous support among members present. The board noted approval would be subject to the planner’s and engineer’s standard conditions and that a formal resolution memorializing the approval would be prepared and presented next month.

Case 2025020z was heard for the property owner of 15 Van Dorn Street; the board’s file will include the exhibits and the construction-ready drawings the architect said are ready once approvals are in hand.