As the population in Southeastern Massachusetts ages more and more, homeowners are looking at their homes and adapting them for aging-in-place needs, including wheelchair access and caregiver lodging.
On May 18, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals heard an application for a Special Permit submitted by Fionna Cook, 7 Pine Road. The lot was described as covering 5,661 square feet and the existing two-bed home 1,192 square feet.
Cook said that she wanted to add a second-floor, one-bed, one-bath addition that would allow for a caregiver to stay on the premises assisting her as she ages in place. She explained that the entire first floor had already been renovated to provide wheelchair access and that, along with a second floor for a caregiver, a second exterior ramp was planned. With the second ramp, the overall footprint would be slightly larger, thus slightly more nonconforming.
ZBA member Colby Rottler said, “There are similar houses in the neighborhood. In the state of Massachusetts, they don’t have to come before us to make changes for handicap access.” The project was unanimously approved.
Also approved was a Variance requested by Emmajay LLC, 13 Industrial Drive, for the construction of an overall roof to protect four shipping containers from the weather. Additional storage space in between the containers will also create more usable space for storage, it was noted by owner Mark Duff.
Duff said he has been cleaning up the property since it was purchased and that Conservation Commission approval has been sought and received. The Variance was unanimously approved.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, at 6:00 pm if there are cases to be heard.
Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals
By Marilou Newell