HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Baxter in support6/23/25
Re: Special Permit No. 2025-017 -- Basta
Dear Chairman Dewey and ZBA Members:
This letter is written in support of the Applicant’s request for a Special Permit.
My name is Ben Baxter. My wife, Suzanne, and I reside at 69 Studley Road. We are direct
abutters of 61 Studley Road. We have been neighbors with the Basta family for over 40
years. They have always been considerate neighbors and fine stewards of the family
properties.
We are familiar with the special permit application and the zoning relief sought by Karim
Basta. We have no objection to merging the 51 Studley Road parcel with the 7 Houghton
Road property. To the contrary, we very much support doing so. The use of the lot has
been accessory to 7 Houghton Road for many years. Karim and Yong-Son Basta installed
a basketball court on the lot for their family’s use over 20 years ago. They also use the lot
for excess parking for extended family and guests staying at 7 Houghton Road. Merging 51
Studley Road with 7 Houghton Road will have no impact on the neighborhood. In fact, I
believe most in the neighborhood assumed the two properties were already merged.
Moreover, upon issuance of the special permit, the 61 Studley Road property will remain
perfectly in character with the neighborhood. The 61 Studley Road property is similar in
size, lot coverage, and character as the other homes on Studley Road. There will be no
change or impact on the neighborhood as a result of issuing the special permit. The use of
the properties will not change, and the end result will be to formally restore the lots to their
historic use and configuration.
In conclusion, we enthusiastically and unequivocally support the issuance of a special
permit.
Thank you for your consideration. Ben Baxter