WESTFIELD – The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously following a public hearing to grant a dimensional special permit for a lot at 42 Pequot Point Road.
The decision to allow the special permit was made immediately after the hearing was closed, which is unusual for a board that usually conducts its discussion and votes at the meeting following a public hearing to allow members time to familiarize themselves with the property through site visits and document review.
However, as noted by ZBA Chairman Michael Parent, the board has recently dealt with the number of variances and special permits dealing with properties on Hampton Ponds and several members have already toured the property.
“We’ve had a number of these over the past couple of years,” Parent said. “I think this is the six or seventh we’ve had from that area. I remember at the early ones, the neighbors would all show up in favor of the petition because it’s improving the neighborhood.”
The petitioner, Stephen Parmenter, a Southampton resident, requested the special permit in anticipation of purchasing the property and demolishing the existing structure, then building a new structure.
Parmenter was seeking relief from the zoning code side yard setback of not less than 15 feet because the property is only 60 feet wide and he plans to construct a building that is 32 feet wide.
Parmenter said that he was seeking relief to give him “wiggle room” if there is a need to shift the house to either side.
“I want to center the new structure, but I want wiggle room if I have to shift it because they find a big boulder or something like that while they’re demolishing the existing structure,” Parmenter said.
Parmenter said that a side yard setback of 10 feet would give sufficient space to move the proposed structure one way or the other if needed.
The current property owner, David Weiss of 18 New Broadway, went before the Conservation Commission at its Aug. 13 meeting to be allowed to cut down three mature trees. One of those trees is in danger of falling into the lake and will cause erosion at the shore line.
The ZBA also raised the issue of a large pine that is being held together with cable and is in danger of falling onto the existing or, if left standing, the new house. Weiss told the conservation commission that the existing structure has to be demolished to give access to the tree removal contractor because the lots are so narrow.
Board member Lynn Boscher said, during the decision discussion following the hearing, that recent projects, similar to Parmenter’s petition, have substantially improve the neighborhood.
“I’m glad to see that area getting cleaned up,” Boscher said. “It’s moving in a positive direction.”
Board member Martin Newman said that the relief being requested is less extreme than other recent petitions where buildings are even closer to the lot lines due to the narrow character of the lots which initially were summer cottages and not year-round residences as they are now.
“We’ve been through this before,” Newman said. “I have no problem with this petition for not less than 10 feet on either side which is more that other petitions we’ve allowed.
“So this is good, it seem like a good plan,” Newman said. “The lot is served by both city water and city sewer. That whole area is becoming an owner-occupied, single-family neighborhood.”
Parent said “as a resident of the city, I’m glad to see these improvements, to see some additional tax revenue coming in. That area is turning into a nice neighborhood.”
The board voted 4-0 to grant the special dimensional permit.
