Town of Otis, Massachusetts
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES February 13, 2023
Meeting via Zoom
7:00 pm – 7:35 pm
ZBA Members: (Present) Geoffrey Geane, Therese Gould, Wayne Wosczyna, Travis Ward
ZBA Members: (Absent) James Kauffman, RoseAnn DeRupo
Clerk: (Present) Trisha Tetreault
Public Attendees: Bob Randall, Bill Allen
The meeting was held via ZOOM; Host Larry Gould, Building Inspector
All votes are via roll call
Agenda item #1 - Open Meeting
- The meeting convened at 7:00 pm. Chairperson Geoffrey Geane opened the meeting and explained the application process. Introductions of the board members were made.
- There was a quorum; four voting members present.
Agenda item #2 – To hear and act upon the application of Kevin Randall, for a Zoning By-Law Special Permit under Sec. 3.3.5 of the Otis Zoning By-laws to raise the current structure and pour a foundation which will provide a walk-out basement and raise the height of the building by five foot 4 inches (5’4”). Current setbacks will remain the same.
Discussion:
- Bob Randall represents his son Kevin Randall.
- The cottage is to be renovated and a walkout basement added. The cottage needs to be elevated, excavated and foundation poured. The building will need to be raised 5’ 4”.
- No change to footprint.
- Wayne stated that the deck on the drawings was not shown on the permit and the permit doesn’t show the house will be raised. They plan to add a deck.
- Terry stated that they couldn’t hear on the deck but could on the height.
- Larry stated a building permit was issued for the renovation and new foundation. After the permit was issued it was found it doesn’t meet the 15’ setback on the East. The deck must be 15’ or more from each side for the applicant to not need a special permit.
- Travis asked if the board approved the height change only and then he wanted a deck, could the building inspector approve without coming to the board, therefore the deck is not an issue.
- Abutters have been notified and no correspondence received. No members of the public spoke.
- Therese Gould made a motion to accept the height change as presented, Travis Ward seconded.
- Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- Wayne Wosczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #3 – Approve minutes from previous meeting.
- It was noted that the minutes from May 2, 2022, meeting still needed to be approved.
- Wayne Wosczyna made a motion to approve the minutes from July 5, 2022, Therese Gould
- Roll call vote was taken. Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- Wayne Wosczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item #4 – Old Business and New Business/ Items unanticipated by the chair.
- Gordon Middleton’s application to be in front of the Zoning Board in a few weeks.
Agenda item #5 – Update from the Building Inspector
Discussion:
- Larry stated that he received the application for Randall and needed additional information for the building permit, after the permit was issued additional details on changes and the setbacks were given. The applicant was directed to submit an application to the Zoning Board. The Zoning application wasn’t complete. Larry asked for more information in October. This application was started last year.
- No applications have come in for March.
Agenda item #6 – Next Meeting
Discussion:
- No meeting next month.
- Approval of the minutes from May 2,2022 at our next meeting.
Agenda item #7 - Adjournment
Discussion:
- Motion made by Member Therese Gould to adjourn. Member Wayne Wosczyna seconded.
- Members voted as follows:
- Therese Gould – Aye
- Wayne Wosczyna- Aye
- Travis Ward- Aye
- Geoffrey Geane – Aye
- The motion passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha Tetreault
Zoning Board Clerk