Zoning Board of Appeals
ZBA approved a package of waivers for the Housing Support comprehensive permit at 276, 278, and 280 Main St after reviewing site drainage, setbacks, parking, fencing, and tree preservation issues. The board also approved a variance for an addition and one-car garage at 9 Lake Attitash Road.
The Zoning Board of Appeals conducted public hearings on a Housing Support comprehensive permit for 276, 278, and 280 Main Street and a variance application for 9 Lake Attitash Road. For the Main Street proposal the board reviewed a new hydrant flow test (accepted by DPW), considered multiple requested waivers (including multifamily use in an R20 district, a building area slightly above 20%, reduced setbacks, larger accessory structure, shared lot/open space relief, reduced parking ratio, alternative drainage pipe material and cover depths, and hydraulic flow velocity below the typical cleaning-velocity standard). Staff and the applicant explained engineering choices (on-site infiltration, short HDPE runs into particle separators, and an operation & maintenance plan) and OCED/DRC requested plan refinements and tree/fence details be incorporated before construction-level permits are issued. Neighbors raised concerns about historic neighborhood character, drainage and pooling on Bartlett Place, snow removal and fence placement, tree loss and preservation (including a 200-year-old maple), parking spillover, and potential noise and light impacts; the applicant responded with proposed fencing, tree assessments, and commitments to preserve or manage specific plantings where feasible.
The board voted to approve the waivers listed in Exhibit A of the draft decision (3–1) and closed the public hearing for the Main Street application; staff and the applicant will circulate an updated draft decision and revised plans to address OCED/DRC and peer-review notes prior to final permitting. Separately, the board heard a variance request for 9 Lake Attitash Road to reconfigure the house and add a one-car garage; finding hardship due to lot size/shape and placement of the existing structure, the board approved the variance unanimously (5–0). The record notes that plan details, tree preservation, and final compliance with OCED/DRC comments will be handled through conditioned approvals and preconstruction/permit reviews.
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