SHARON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2011

A regular meeting of the Town of Sharon Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Sharon Town Office Building.  The following members were present:  Kevin McCarville, Lee Wernick, Larry Okstein, Seth Ruskin.

8:00 p.m.         Mr. McCarville opened the meeting.  He recognized the absence of John Lee, Chairman of the Zoning Board, who has been deployed to Afghanistan.  He stated the board’s thoughts and prayers are with him.

8:01 p.m.         Ian Gopin, 8 Ames Street, Case No. 1668:  Mr. McCarville read the public hearing notice.  Mr. McCarville read a memo dated March 23, 2011 from Jim Andrews, Health Agent, which stated he cannot comment at this time and a memo dated March 22, 2011 from Greg Meister, Conservation Agent.

There were no abutters present.

The applicant was represented by his architect, Mark Gluesing, Needham, MA.  He stated they are looking for permission to add on to the existing 1 ¾ story house that was built in the early 1900’s.  The Gopins have lived there since 2005.   The house is presently a 3-bedroom, one bathroom house and they would like to bring it up to today’s  typical standards by changing it to a 4-bedroom, two bathroom house.  He stated the house is presently 1580 s.f. and they are asking to add 1526 s.f. and they want to preserve the existing house.   It is a very tight lot and the house is already non-conforming.  Mr. Gluesing stated there is a leaching area in the back that was put in when they bought the house.  The proposed garage will be connected to the addition, which is a typical New England look.  Their goal is to enlarge the kitchen, add a family room, a two-car garage, a master suite and study, all of which will be basically 9 ½’ into the 20’ setback.  The closets and garage are in the non-conforming area, but the Gopins do not want to tear down the house.

Mr. Wernick asked if the master bedroom is above the garage and Mr. Gluesing stated yes.  Mr. Wernick stated the board may have concerns with setting precedence because we would be increasing the non-conformity.  Mr. Gluesing stated this is the only way to resolve all the issues and they aren’t doing any more additions in the future.  Mr. Gopin stated he had a discussion with the Board of Health. They will write a letter to the Zoning Board after they receive an input from the engineer stating the present system will work for a 4-bedroom house and also verifying the leaching field setbacks.  Mr. McCarville stated the board can’t vote until we receive that letter.  Mr. Gopin stated they will be meeting with the Board of Health next Monday and they understand why the board has to wait for the letter.  He also has a letter from his neighbor that lives right next to the garage.  Mr. McCarville stated that is a good thing.

SHARON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2011  (2)

Mr. Ruskin stated he is concerned with the garage.  He stated the plans for the house are beautiful, but we have had this same discussion with other applicants.  He is looking to be able to approve this application, but he needs a good reason for the two car garage.  He feels it is just too big.  Mr. Gluesing stated it would be a big expense to move everything now.  Mr. Gopin stated that changing the garage would affect four abutters on one side versus one if they move forward the way it is presently proposed.  He is also looking at marketability of his house.  The hardship is that he wants to stay in Sharon.  Mr. McCarville stated there is an extra bedroom, audio visual room and a study.  This application has a lot of padding as presented.  Mr. Gopin stated he owns his own business and works from home, which is why he needs a study.  Mr. Gluesing stated lot coverage is 14% and 25% is allowed.  It is an undersized lot.  Mr. Gopin stated they bought an 800 s.f. home and came before this board five years ago.   They would have done more the first time.

Mr. McCarville continued this hearing to April 13, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. so the Board of Health has time to submit their findings.

8:25 p.m.         Nir Davidson, Case No. 1666 Continued Hearing:  Mr. McCarville continued this hearing to May 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. as requested by the applicant.

8:27 p.m. Sharon Residences Plan Endorsement:  Tom Houston stated he has reviewed the drawings.  They fully conform to the board’s decision of approval and are ready to be endorsed.  Mr. McCarville stated that both Tom Houston and Peter O’Cain feel the plans conform to the requirements of our approval.  He asked if all the conditions of approval are shown on the plan and Mr. Houston stated yes.

Mr. Wernick moved to endorse the plans that are before the board and as reviewed by Tom Houston who has confirmed that all requirements and conditions have been met.

Motion seconded by Mr. Ruskin and voted 4-0-0. 

Mr. Wernick asked that a copy of the approved site plan be kept on site at all times.  Mr.  O’Cain stated he will keep the mylars.

The board agreed that all future Zoning Board meetings would start at 7:30 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m.

It was moved, seconded and voted to adjourn.   The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

Accepted 5/11/11