Yarmouth board allows Caputos to withdraw petition to park boat in front yard

Chair Sean Igoe opened petition 5245 from Angelo and Michelle Caputo, who sought a special permit under the town zoning bylaw to store a boat forward of the front building line at 81 Standish Way.

At the hearing the Caputos confirmed the boat is about 20 feet, 7 inches and said they keep it on a mooring in Mills Creek during the season and would like to leave it at the house through the winter rather than transport it home. Angelo Caputo said the family plans to widen the driveway to create on‑site parking if the permit is allowed. Neighbor correspondence and two letters read into the record described sight‑line problems entering Standish Way from Webster Road and said the property already frequently places vehicles on the street. “My primary concern is the displacement effect the parked boat will have on the multiple vehicles frequently parked at the residence,” one letter said, describing impaired visibility at the corner.

Board members raised safety and spacing concerns. Anthony (board member) said the new bylaw permits front‑yard boat storage only when it does not create traffic or fire safety issues and when adequate on‑site parking can be demonstrated; he said he did not see those conditions met on the current record. Martin and other members said the lot felt too tight and noted a zoning enforcement letter dated 02/22/2024 had been issued. With those concerns, the Caputos asked to withdraw the petition without prejudice rather than proceed to a likely negative vote. The board voted to allow the withdrawal 5–0, preserving the applicants’ right to return but signaling the board’s view that the petition as presented did not meet the bylaw criteria.