What: Variances from minimum frontage, minimum lot area and lot area per dwelling unit for a three-bedroom, 1,440 square foot single-family home on a vacant 5,500 square foot lot on Butman Road in the suburban single-family district (10,000 square feet and 90 feet of frontage required).
Where it stands: Continued from September 14. On November 9 a motion to approve with two conditions (a shade tree and a stormwater permit) failed on a 3 to 3 vote, so the variance was not granted.
The applicant's attorney argued the project meets the new practical-difficulty variance standard in Chapter 40A Section 10, which weighs housing production against harm to the neighborhood, and said soil testing witnessed by the city stormwater group supported the proposed infiltration system. A GIS exhibit showed many similarly undersized lots nearby. Staff conditions of a shade tree and a stormwater permit were accepted.
Abutters and neighbors spoke in opposition about parking and a narrow street, snow emergencies, drainage and groundwater, the size of the relief sought, whether the hardship was self-created, and whether one home would help housing affordability. No one spoke in favor; the Board had letters both for and against, 16 in total.
Members were divided on whether the practical-difficulty balance favored the applicant: those opposed cited the size of the lot-area relief, precedent and neighborhood congestion; those in favor cited the modest house, similar lots nearby, the state housing policy and the soil test.
Roll call on approval with conditions: 3 in favor, 3 opposed; not approved.
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