Zoning Board of Appeals approves multiple property variances after brief hearings

The Zoning Board of Appeals convened at 7:00 p.m. and approved minutes from its May 18 meeting before moving into the public hearing portion of the agenda. After hearing applications and reading the five statutory criteria for area variances, the board granted multiple variances for residential properties with limited public comment.

At the first hearing, applicant Chie Way asked to add a 24-by-26-foot framed and sided garage to the front of the house. Chie Way said the garage would match neighboring homes and requested a single 16-by-8 garage door. Neighbor David Grove, of 1 169 Lake Road Westport, spoke in support, saying, "I think it's a wonderful idea," and noting the garage would allow vehicles now parked outside to be stored indoors. The board reviewed the five variance factors and voted to grant the requested variances; the applicant was told to contact staff about permits.

The board then heard from Chris Cole, who described plans for a roughly 32-foot addition on the east side of his home and noted existing apple trees and driveway geometry as siting considerations. No members of the public spoke for or against that application; the board closed the hearing and proceeded with its review.

For property at 733 North (referenced in the meeting as an application by Chris Paul/Chris B), the board considered multiple variances to allow a storage barn to be built in front of the dwelling's foundation. The board reported no neighbor comments, reviewed the statutory criteria, and voted to grant the variances.

Janifer Wells proposed a 30-by-40-foot barn on the north side of a property of just under five acres, explaining that septic location and driveway slope make the north side the only reasonable area for the structure; she said the barn would be sited at an angle to reduce drainage mitigation. No public opposition was recorded.

A separate motion covered Jennifer Wells Dickerson at 335 West, who sought and received a variance from the 100-foot minimum front setback in her RBL zoning district to place a barn/carport approximately 35 feet from the right-of-way (the board recorded the request as a 70-foot front-setback variance). The board approved the variances after reading the five criteria and receiving no neighborhood objections.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the May 18 minutes and granted variances for the Chie Way garage (24x26 ft), the property at 733 North for a storage barn, Janifer Wells's 30x40 barn application, and Jennifer Wells Dickerson's front-setback variance; motions were made and seconded and each was approved on voice/board vote as recorded in the meeting.

Board members instructed successful applicants to contact staff (identified in the meeting as Cheryl) to complete permit paperwork and other post-approval steps. The meeting concluded after brief department comments and informal scheduling notes.

All direct quotations and attributions in this article are taken from the meeting transcript as read aloud during the public hearings and roll call.