Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on February 29 approved a request to withdraw without prejudice the variance application for the construction of a 1,600-square-foot garage at 405 Neck Road, which would be larger than the 1,000 square feet allowed by town zoning bylaw.
Acting Chairman Thomas Flynn said the applicant, Michael Walsh, needs to withdraw his current petition because he wishes to bring in a new application with two variance requests at a future date.
The original application sparked alarm at the board’s January 25 meeting after members learned the new structure would be placed at the front of the property, which in itself violates the zoning bylaw. Yet this aspect of the plan was not on the application.
On that date, Walsh explained he recently moved from a larger home in Lakeville and needs a four-bay garage for his vehicles, boat and other storage. Board member Richard Cutler explained to Walsh that he might have problems selling the property in the future if the panel approved his plan as submitted on February 29.
In other action, the board approved a FY25 budget request of $1,000, which is no change from this fiscal year’s ZBA budget. “We should stick to our last budget amount,” board member Davis Sullivan said.
Board administrator Andreia Lacerda reported she has received no petitions for the March 14 meeting. Therefore, the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet next on March 28 at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way, Rochester.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Michael J. DeCicco