On February 16, the Mattapoisett Boatyard, represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon and Leone, Inc., came before the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Permit.
Davignon explained the proposed construction of one new building on a site that had held seven buildings before a catastrophic fire leveled everything – the boatyard was devastated, but the neighborhood was saved. Now the owners, the Kaiser family, rolled out their reconstruction plans.
Building Commissioner David Riquinha told the board members that the property owners could have rebuilt all seven structures on the original footprints without the need to come before the board, but due to the plan featuring a new building with a new footprint, a Special Permit was needed for the nonconforming southerly setback.
The new structure was described by Davignon as measuring 80×131 feet and approximately 23 feet in height, covering 10,507 square feet. It would be situated 11 feet off the southern boundary line along the waterfront. He also noted that due to the location of the business, other regulatory agencies would be involved with the permitting process. Davignon further stated that lot coverage would be significantly reduced from 22% to 9.8%.
Regarding other structures planned for the site, Davignon said that in another phase, the Kaisers hope to construct an addition to the structure currently planned, but that was not before the board on February 16.
Several abutters and residents in the Ned’s Point neighborhood spoke in favor of the project, saying the Kaisers were good neighbors and that the Fire Department’s performance is to be lauded. Ned Kaiser, who was present at the hearing, said that with the new plan there would be more parking within the property, relieving street-parking congestion.
Before the ZBA made its decision, Riquinha told the board that the plans were an improvement over the original arrangement of seven structures. The ZBA voted unanimously to approve the request.
Also permitted was a request by Jean Mello, 39 Marion Road, for the conversion of a building unit from a dental office to a family-related apartment attached to a residential structure.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled upon adjournment.
Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals
By Marilou Newell