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Board of Appeals
NOTICE OF DECISION
VARIANCE
IN THE MATTER OF:
Owner/Applicant: Suzanne Manning
Property: 7 Downing Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Deed Reference: Plymouth County Registry of Deeds Book 45060, Page 74
Plan Reference: Plan entitled, "Plan of Land, 7 Downing Street,
Hingham, MA," prepared by Hoyt Land Surveying, 1287 Washington Street,
Weymouth, MA, dated April 17, 2014; and architectural plans entitled,
"Proposed Elevations" and "Existing Elevations," prepared by HC Design,
146 Front Street, Suite 211, Scituate, MA, dated April 16, 2015,
Drawings A2-0 and X2.0.
SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS
This matter came before the Board of Appeals (the "Board") on the
application of Suzanne Manning (the "Applicant") for a Variance from §
IV-A of the Hingham Zoning By-Law (the "By-Law") to construct a
single-story addition and deck resulting in a 13.3' side yard setback
where 15' is required at 7 Downing Street in Residence District A.
A public hearing was duly noticed and held on May 13, 2015, at the
Town Hall, 210 Central Street. The Board panel consisted of its regular
members W. Tod McGrath, Chairman, Joseph M. Fisher, and Joseph W.
Freeman. The Applicant appeared to present the application. At the
conclusion of the hearing, the Board voted unanimously to grant a
Variance from the side yard setback requirement under § IV-A of the
By-Law.
Throughout its deliberations, the Board has been mindful of the
statements of the Applicant and the comments of the general public, all
as made or received at the public hearing.
BACKGROUND
The subject property consists of approximately 9,853 SF improved by a
single-family dwelling, detached single-car garage, and shed. The
Hingham Board of Health approved the design of a new septic system in
November 2014, which is to be installed in the northwest portion of the
lot directly behind the existing dwelling.
The proposed plan would extend the dwelling into the southerly side
yard setback an additional 5', resulting in a 13.3' setback for both a
single-story addition and a proposed deck. The By-Law contains an
exemption at § IV-C, 7., which allows projections of less than 30 SF
into setbacks for any structure that does not supply useable floor area.
The proposed deck would project 25.5 SF into the required side yard
setback and as such does not require relief. The Applicant pointed to
soil conditions, namely location of the approved septic system to the
northwest corner of the lot, as a limiting factor in siting the proposed
single-story addition. The Board reviewed the existing conditions and
proposed plans, agreeing that the requested relief is relatively modest
at less than 2'.
FINDINGS
Based upon the information submitted and received at the hearing, and
the deliberations and discussions of Board members at the meeting, the
Board has determined that:
a. There are circumstances relating to soil conditions, shape or
topography especially affecting the land but not affecting generally the
zoning district. The approved onsite septic system in the northeast
portion of the lot is a limiting factor. This soil condition is not
evident generally in the Residence A Zoning District. Given the
circumstances of the property and the location of existing structures,
there appear to be no other alternatives to site the addition;
b. The literal enforcement of the Bylaws would involve substantial
hardship financial or otherwise. A literal enforcement of the zoning
ordinance would require the result in significant costs associated with
redesign and/or relocation of the septic system. A grant of the
requested relief will allow for a reasonable use that is entirely
consistent with a single family use in the Residence A Zoning District;
c. A variance may be granted without substantial detriment to the
public good. The proposed project will not create any noise, traffic or
result in other similar negative impacts. The design of the proposed
addition is consistent with the character of the neighborhood and other
single family residential uses in the Residence A Zoning District.
There will be no adverse effects on the neighborhood and there will be
no harm to the public good; and
d. A variance may be granted without nullifying or substantially
derogating from the intent or purposes of the Bylaw. The de minimis
incursion (~39 SF) into the side yard setback in no way derogates from
the intent or purposes of the By-Law.
DECISION
Upon a motion made by Joseph M. Fisher and seconded by Joseph W.
Freeman, the Board voted unanimously to grant a Variance from the side
yard setback requirement under § IV-A of the By-Law approving
construction of a single-story addition resulting in a 13.3' side yard
setback where 15' is required at 7 Downing Street in Residence District
A, subject to the following conditions:
1. The rights authorized by this Variance shall expire one year from
the date this Decision is filed with the Town Clerk, unless exercised or
extended in accordance with the terms of M.G.L. c. 40A, § 10.
2. The Applicant shall construct the Project in a manner consistent
with the approved plans and the representations made at the hearings
before the Board.
This decision shall not take effect until a copy of the decision
bearing the certification of the Town Clerk, that twenty (20) days have
elapsed since the decision has been filed in the office of the Town
Clerk and no appeal has been filed, or that if such appeal has been
filed, that it has been dismissed or denied, is recorded with the
Plymouth Registry of Deeds and/or the Plymouth County Land Court
Registry, and indexed in the grantor index under the name of the record
owner or is recorded and noted on the owner's certificate of title.
For The Board of Appeals,
__________________________________
W. Tod McGrath, Chairman
June 1, 2015
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