Zoning board approves 1,200-sq-ft ADA-accessible ADU at 112 Reid Road with conditions

The Westport Zoning Board of Appeals on June 10 approved a special permit for a 1,200-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 112 Reid Road intended to house a handicapped resident and a live-in caregiver, setting conditions requiring a second means of egress and that the attached oversized garage not be converted to livable space.

Sean Leach, representing applicants Adam and Ron Frankower, told the board the applicants had reduced the proposed ADU from about 1,700 square feet to roughly 1,200 square feet and had designed interior circulation to meet ADA recommendations, including 60-inch turning circles and 36-inch doors. "We've since reduced that to 1,200 square feet," Leach said during his presentation.

Board members pressed on whether the project could be approved by right under the state's ADU law or whether a special permit and a reasonable-accommodation finding were needed because of the unit's larger size and the accessibility requirements. One member summarized the state rule during debate as capping by-right ADUs at 900 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller; members agreed the applicants required board approval because of the proposed size.

Several neighbors spoke. Paul Christian said he was "glad that they downsized" and asked about the large garage footprint. Clifford Brown, who identified himself as having used a wheelchair for several years, said a modest house can work for wheelchair users: "I had no problem with a wheelchair in there." John Calman, a long-time Reid Road resident, said the applicants had been "good neighbors" and supported the project as a reasonable accommodation for the family's needs.

Residents raised concerns about erosion and tree removal on a steep nearby hill. Leach and other speakers said stormwater controls and a septic design submitted to the Board of Health would include erosion-control measures; the board noted those items will be addressed in subsequent permitting reviews.

After closing the hearing, a member moved to approve a special permit for a 1,200-square-foot ADU for a handicapped individual with an attached oversized garage per the provided plans, with two conditions: (1) inclusion of a second egress, and (2) that any seller/garage space not be counted as livable area. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair noted a 20-day appeal period.