Peabody ZBA denies large detached-garage variance after neighbors question business use and scale

The Peabody City Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny a variance sought by Steven Chambers for a detached garage at One Clinton Road. Attorney Craig Hartwell told the board the original proposal had been reduced from 1,440 square feet to a 30-by-30 structure (900 sq ft) and that the revised plan moved the building away from side and rear setbacks to address neighbors’ concerns. Hartwell said topography and the layout of the lot limited options and showed photos to illustrate the hardship.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing said the size remained excessive for an R1 neighborhood and raised concerns the structure could house the applicant’s HVAC business. Kevin Connors, whose property includes the example garage submitted by the applicant, said he had not seen the reduced plans until the hearing and told the board, “I haven’t seen anything smaller… this was the first I’ve heard of a 900 foot proposal.” Ed Doran said he suspected the applicant would move his HVAC business into the proposed structure and that a building of that size could accommodate multiple cars and a work area.

The chair emphasized the board’s obligation to follow ordinance limits and warned applicants not to request “the sun, the moon, and the stars,” telling the room, “If you’re asking for the sun, the moon, and the stars, you’re asking for too much.” After the public hearing was closed, the board took a roll-call vote and denied the variance.

Why it matters: The denial underscores the board’s willingness to weigh neighborhood character and stated ordinance thresholds against claimed hardships and shows neighbor testimony can be decisive when proposals substantially exceed typical relief previously granted by the board.

What’s next: The board’s decision will be filed with the city clerk and is subject to a 20-day appeal period under state open-meeting and land-use procedures.