Under the Town’s Zoning Bylaws, a garage or similar structure cannot be built in front of the property’s principle structure; however, when you are like Amy Johnson of 44 Walnut Plain Road and you haven’t got the space behind your house to fit a garage, you go to the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals for permission to build one anyway.
On June 11 during the continuation of her public hearing, Johnson provided the board with the stamped plans the board required and explained why she could not build her proposed garage behind her house.
“Putting the garage by your new zoning law would destroy my lot, my yard, my view…” said Johnson. There are a number of trees between Johnson’s house and the proposed location of the garage, with plenty of room between that spot and the road. “It would destroy my neighbor’s view…”
The garage would meet the setback requirements. The position of the garage was the issue at hand. There simply was no room for it in the back, said Johnson.
With no abutters present, ZBA member Kirby Gilmore said he found no problem with the project, but proposed a condition that only this one 26- by 24-foot structure would be allowed on the property and nothing further in the future. The special permit was approved.
The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for June 25 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
By Jean Perry
