Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals ended its October 10 meeting with an unusual move, setting a single-issue meeting for Thursday, October 17.
The application to be reviewed on that date is for a variance to place a 30×71-foot steel carport on a residential lot at 173 County Road. Property owner Dwight Crosby told the board on October 10 the building is to be used for dry storage of his boat, RV, and other personal possessions. The new building would need to be placed just over a wetlands buffer zone, near an existing cranberry bog.
Board members said they had no problem with the building proposal itself. Board member Donald Spirlet admitted Crosby does need a place to store these items under cover.
However, board members also said Crosby needed re-drawn plans that include a driveway that will support the weight of the vehicles Crosby will use to drive them into that carport. Chair David Arancio explained the board needs the full plans in front of them before granting the variance. To be without this would only enable any legal challenge to the board’s vote. He also cautioned Crosby that all easements need to be shown on the plan. For example, one abutter across the street is in Wareham.
Board member Jeffrey Costa said whether there is a driveway on the plan or not should not affect how the zoning panel votes on a variance. Arancio responded that updated plans are needed because the board has to ‘condition’ the variance approval appropriately.
The board drafted the following conditions, that the new structure shall be for dry storage only and there shall be no conversion to residential use, then postponed the hearing to October 17 at 7:15 pm in the town hall conference room.
The Zoning Board of Appeals’ next regular meeting after October 17 will be Thursday, November 14 at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Michael J. DeCicco