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Home My WebLink AboutSR-2024-015 Singh 144 Meadow Lane WB ADU SP Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Elizabeth Jenkins, Director Staff Report Special Permit No. 2024-015 – Singh Section 240-47.2 C. (4) – Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) To create an accessory dwelling unit in existing space that exceeds the allowable size by 400 square feet Date: April 23, 2024 To: Zoning Board of Appeals From: Anna Brigham, Principal Planner Applicant: Swapna Singh Property Address: 144 Meadow Lane, West Barnstable, MA Assessor's Map/Parcel: 133/026 Zoning: Residence F (RF) Filed: April 9, 2024 Hearing: May 8, 2024 Decision Due: July 18, 2024 Copy of Public Notice Swapna Singh has applied for a Special Permit pursuant to Section 240-47.2 C. (4) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s). The Applicant proposes to use the existing 1,300 sq. ft. accessory structure, attached by a roof to the principal dwelling and formerly an exercise room, as an ADU, which exceeds the allowable size by 400 sq. ft. There is no new development proposed. The subject property is located at 144 Meadow Lane, West Barnstable, MA as shown on Assessor’s Map 133 as Parcel 026. It is located in the Residence F (RF) Zoning District. Background The subject property consists of a 1.65-acre lot with frontage along Meadow Lane, off Main Street/Route 6A in West Barnstable. According to the Assessors records, there is one 2,369 square foot (11,111 gross) single family dwelling with 4 bedrooms, and it was constructed in 1984. The area consists of a variety of shaped lots containing residential dwellings. Proposal & Relief Requested The Applicant is proposing to change the use of the existing “exercise room” to an Accessory Dwelling unit which exceeds the allowable size by 400 square feet; therefore a Special Permit is required pursuant to Section 240-47.2 C. (4). Section 240-47.2 C. reads as follows: C. Use and dimensional requirements. The Building Commissioner may issue a building permit authorizing the installation and use of an accessory dwelling unit within a lawful existing or new single-family dwelling to which the ADU is accessory, or in a new or existing detached building accessory to and on the same lot as the principal dwelling subject to the following: (1) No more than one ADU may be created per lot. This provision is not subject to variance. (2) If the primary entrance of an ADU is not proposed to be shared with that of the principal dwelling, such entrance shall be less visible from the street view of the principal dwelling than the main entrance of the principal dwelling. (3) An ADU shall be designed so that, to the maximum extent practical, the appearance of the property on which it is to be located remains that of a single-family residential property. Any addition or new construction shall be consistent in design with the principal single-family Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report Special Permit No. 2024-015 - Singh 2 dwelling, considering the following: architectural details, roof design, building spacing and orientation, door and window location, and building materials. Any person aggrieved by the determination of a Town official with respect to a determination under this subsection may appeal said determination to the Zoning Board of Appeals. (4) The ADU shall contain no more than two bedrooms. ADUs, in accordance with the definition, shall have a maximum habitable floor area that is not larger than 1/2 of the habitable floor area of the principal single-family dwelling unit (exclusive of floor area that converted to the ADU), or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller. ADUs with more than two bedrooms and/or a maximum habitable floor area greater than 900 square feet may be permitted by special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Garages, unfinished attics and basements, common entries, porches and decks shall not be included in the floor area calculations. (5) Occupancy of the ADU shall not exceed two persons; occupancy limitations shall not apply to children ages 18 and under. Occupancy of an ADU by more than two persons over the age of 18 may be permitted by special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. (6) Once an ADU has been added to a single-family dwelling or lot, the accessory dwelling unit shall not be enlarged beyond the square footage allowed by this section. (7) All parking for the ADU shall be off street. (8) The Board of Health must have documented to the Building Commissioner that sewage disposal will be satisfactorily provided for in accordance with the provisions of Title 5 and Board of Health regulations, including provisions for an appropriate reserve area on the site. The principal dwelling unit and accessory dwelling unit shall meet all wastewater requirements for the combined number of bedrooms/wastewater flow on the lot. If the property is served by municipal sewer, the Department of Public Works shall certify adequate capacity is available to serve the additional unit. (9) The rights and requirements of this section hereby transfer upon the sale of a property containing an ADU built under the provisions of this section. (10) An ADU and the principal dwelling to which it is accessory may be rented only in accordance with the terms of this section. (11) An ADU shall be used only as a rental, except that the owner of the property may reside in the ADU while renting the principal dwelling. The rental period for an ADU and for a principal dwelling shall not be shorter than 12 consecutive months. Either the principal dwelling or ADU, but not both, may be rented at any given time. (12) Any commercial use, with the exception of permitted home occupations, shall not be allowed on a property on which there is an ADU. Proposed Special Permit Findings For all Special Permits, the Board is required to make general findings pursuant to § 240-125(C). The Board should review the evidence presented by the Applicant, staff, and members of the public and, after weighing such evidence, is encouraged to articulate if and how the evidence contributes to each of the required findings. 1. The application falls within a category specifically excepted in the ordinance for a grant of a special permit. Section 240-47.2. C. (4) allows a Special Permit for an Accessory Dwelling unit that exceeds the allowable size. Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report Special Permit No. 2024-015 - Singh 3 2. Site Plan Review is not required for single-family residential dwellings. 3. After an evaluation of all the evidence presented, the proposal fulfills the spirit and intent of the Zoning Ordinance and would not represent a substantial detriment to the public good or the neighborhood affected. Suggested Conditions Should the Board find to grant Special Permit No. 2024-015, it may wish to consider the following conditions: 1. Special Permit No. 2024-015 is granted to Swapna Singh pursuant to Section 240-47.2 C. (4) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) to use the existing 1,300 sq. ft. accessory structure, attached by a roof to the principal dwelling and formerly an exercise room, as an ADU, which exceeds the allowable size by 400 sq. ft at 144 Meadow Lane, West Barnstable, MA. 2. The site development shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the plan entitled “Certified Plot Plan” by Edward Kelley, Certified Land Surveyor, dated June 1, 1993. There are no site changes being proposed with this application. 3. The proposed use shall represent full build-out of the lot. Further development of the lot or construction of additional accessory structures is prohibited without prior approval from the Board. 4. The Applicant must comply with the restrictions in Section 240-47.2 C. Accessory Dwelling Units Procedural Requirements 1-3 of the Ordinance as follows: . (1) An ADU that conforms to the requirements contained herein shall be permitted as an accessory use to a lawful single-family dwelling use, except that no ADU shall be permitted on a lot at the same time either an affordable accessory apartment exists on that lot pursuant to Chapter 9, Article II, §§ 9-12 through 9-16, of the General Ordinances of the Code of the Town of Barnstable or as a family apartment exists on that lot pursuant to § 240-47.1. (2) Prior to issuance of a building permit for an ADU, site plans, floor plans and elevations shall be submitted showing the proposed interior and exterior changes to existing buildings or new buildings and improvements on a lot associated with a proposed ADU. (3) The construction of any accessory dwelling unit must be in conformity with the federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including all historic, and Old King's Highway requirements if applicable. 5. All mechanical equipment associated with the dwelling (air conditioners, electric generators, etc.) shall be screened from neighboring homes and the public right-of-way. 6. The decision shall be recorded at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds and copies of the recorded decision shall be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals Office and the Building Division prior to the issuance of a building permit. The rights authorized by this special permit must be exercised within two years, unless extended. Copies: Applicant Attachments: Application Plot Plan