Orleans ZBA approves special permit for demolition and rebuild at 169 Monument Road

The Orleans Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a special permit for a demolition and rebuild at 169 Monument Road, approving an application filed by John Edward Lions and Megan Collins.

At a June meeting, the applicants’ representative, Mr. Xander, told the board the existing house sits about 4.3 feet from the coastal bank and the proposed replacement would be set back roughly 18.6 feet — a move of about 13 feet away from the bank. The project would increase the building’s height from about 17.5 feet to about 26.1 feet, a change the representative characterized as reducing the structure’s nonconformity with current setback rules. The proposal was presented under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 48 §6 and Orleans zoning bylaw provisions cited by the board.

Board members asked for and received details about the setback changes, roof heights and the applicants’ mitigation plan. Mr. Xander said the Conservation Commission had already reviewed and approved the work; the applicants plan to remove invasive vegetation and restore native plantings as mitigation for the increased footprint.

There were no public comments. After brief discussion, a motion to approve the special permit carried on a roll call vote: Austin Higgins — yes; Martin Lab — yes; Bob Wilkinson — yes; Chair Gerald Mulligan — yes. Chair Mulligan said he would draft the board decision and requested a copy from the applicants for the file.

The board’s approval authorizes the applicants to proceed to the next administrative steps required to implement the demolition and rebuild; the decision will be drafted and circulated to the members for finalization.