A mere week after re-drawn plans were requested to satisfy board members’ questions, in a single-issue meeting on October 17, Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to allow the construction of a 30×71-foot steel storage building with a 12×30 covered ‘patio’ at 173 County Road.
On October 10, board members told property owner Dwight Crosby they needed updated drawings of his proposal to build a steel structure to house his boat, RV, and other personal possessions near an existing cranberry bog.
In record time, the board received the answer to its request: an updated design plan that includes a driveway that will support the weight of the vehicles Crosby will be driving into the carport. Chair David Arancio had explained on October 10 that the board needs the full plans in front of them before granting the variance, because 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.
On October 17, the board approved Crosby’s plan after refining the permit conditions drafted at its last meeting. The structure shall be for dry storage only. It shall not be used for commercial use, nor for housing animals, nor for residential use.
Arancio noted a letter from neighbor Thomas Barboza stating he had no problem with Crosby’s plan. The resulting approval vote was unanimous, 5-0.
Earlier in the meeting, Arancio said the board’s next meeting will be November 14 and the meeting after that will be December 12 if the panel receives enough petitions to support that schedule.
The Zoning Board of Appeals’ next regular meeting will be Thursday, November 14 at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Michael J. DeCicco