ZBA Asks Changes on Chestnut St. Plan

Above, Chair Bruce Hunchard calls ZBA meeting to order.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) held its last meeting of February on the 16th via Zoom. The principal matter on the agenda was with regard to 220 Chestnut Street-where Anthony Cabeca and Kimberli Jacobsen were seeking to construct a 12’ x 22’ sunroom that increases the total impervious area to 19.7% where 15% is allowed in the Water Resource District.

The two applicants were joined by Amanda K. Cavaliere from the engineering and surveying firm of Guerriere and Halnon.

Cavaliere showed plot plans and engineering drawings via zoom, explaining the history of the property, all the current features, and the planned addition. “The only reason we're here as far as special permit goes is for an increase of 0.6% of impervious coverage as part of the special permit criteria. The proposed sunroom will not increase traffic, no additional utilities, no negative impact on the existing neighborhood, similar in character to the existing house, and no impact on the water supply,” she explained.

Chair Bruce Hunchard responded skeptically. “To me, they don't need relief of 0.6, they need relief of 4.7% because they should be at 15%,” he said. Hunchard also questioned how the property got to 19 percent in the first place. “It was never approved by anybody that I'm aware of,” he said.

Cavaliere admitted that the overage was something of a mystery.

A back and forth discussion ensued with the Cavaliere stressing the slight increase in impervious surface being sought and the fact that the project, as part of a subdivision, was previously approved.

But Hunchard was not convinced and asked ZBA members to weigh in. None thought the matter should be simply treated as minor.

In the end, the applicants and Cavaliere were instructed to come back with a proposal that offsets not only the additional impervious area planned but also the existing 4.1 percent that exceeds regulation.

The ZBA also agreed that Chair, Bruce Hunchard, should represent the ZBA in the process of updating the town’s Master Plan.