12 Oak Street - Site Plan Review

What is proposed

Applicants James Fritz and Catherine Lallas propose to remove an existing detached garage and construct a new detached two‑story Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) — described in the application as a carriage house. The work shown in the application includes demolition and removal of the old garage and its foundation, excavation for a new foundation, and construction of an 18 × 25 ft building with about 900 square feet of gross floor area.

Where and how big

The project site is 12 Oak Street (Assessors’ Map 54, Lot 225) in a residential zoning district. The lot area is 6,188 square feet. The existing principal building is a two‑family house (approximately 46 × 27 ft). The proposed detached ADU footprint is 18 × 25 ft and the architectural submission includes first‑ and second‑floor plans plus building elevations that show the proposed massing, siding, windows and roof form.

Parking, access and other considerations

The submitted site plan shows a driveway and on‑site parking areas adjacent to the proposed ADU. The ADU pre‑application materials indicate the property will remain the owner’s primary residence; those materials also note that the ADU cannot be converted into a condominium or used for short‑term rental, consistent with the ADU rules referenced in the pre‑application.

Status

Applications for Site Plan Review and for a Special Permit (Section V, Paragraph D of the Amesbury Zoning Bylaw) were filed on May 25, 2026. The Planning Board has received the site plan, floor plans and elevations; the matter is pending before the Planning Board.