Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on October 23 approved two garages that will be placed technically in their front yards.
The board granted two variances to allow the construction of a detached garage greater than the permitted 1,000-square feet in the front yard of 45 Williams Way after property owner William Flaherty explained his current attached garage is “maxed out.” He needs the larger garage for his hobbies, equipment, and vehicles. He elaborated he has no other place on his property to place the garage. Moving to the left or the right of his home would place it near his septic tank or his neighbor’s property lines. Placing the garage further back on the lot would encroach on his well area. “It will be stick built. It will look good from the road,” he promised.
Member Richard Cutler admitted Flaherty doesn’t have a big property but has a big setback. Board member Davis Sullivan noted that from a certain point of view the new garage is further back. The board granted the variances with the standard conditions of no residential use or human habitation, no animal habitation, and no commercial use.
With the same conditions, the board then approved a variance to allow a proposed three-bay garage greater than 1,000 square feet in the front yard at 447 Neck Road. Property owners Chris and Molly Fournier said right now they don’t have a garage at all. They need this garage for their cars and other storage. The garage will have a second floor that will also be built for storage but additionally as a deck for a view of the water. They noted they have a non-conforming house built circa 1952, and they have no room in their back yard. “This seems like the only place to put it,” Molly Fournier said.
The board agreed with the Fourniers’ arguments as it voted for its approval. Cutler noted that the lot was subdivided before there were town bylaws “The self-imposed hardship doesn’t count here in my mind,” he said. “There’s no other place to move it,” member Davis Sullivan added.
In other business, the board welcomed new ZBA Associate Member Keith Riquinha.
The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals will be Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Michael J. DeCicco