Board approves detached ADU at 82 Elm Street after inspector sign‑off guidance

The Scituate Planning Board approved a site‑plan administrative review for a detached accessory dwelling unit at 82 Elm Street during its June 11 meeting, finding the unit’s effective floor area (after subtracting non‑compliant ceiling heights) met the zoning bylaw.

Steve Borkman, representing the Glennons, said the detached unit has been occupied for years and that building inspector and fire department letters indicate the dwelling is code‑compliant and safe. The board confirmed the applicant’s calculation of the ADU area (about 872 square feet) and moved to approve the application with conditions mirroring the town’s ADU template: a recorded restrictive covenant disallowing short‑term rentals, compliance with health/building/DPW/fire/conservation requirements prior to occupancy, no further expansion without board review, erosion controls during construction and limitations on construction hours.

Board discussion noted that because the structure is already occupied, the building inspector will need to issue an occupancy permit after the board’s decision and after required department signoffs. The motion was seconded and approved on the record; no roll‑call vote list was read into the minutes.

Next steps: applicant must record the covenant and obtain the required departmental approvals prior to receiving or posting an occupancy permit.