HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR-2024-033 6M Development 1045 Main St COT ADU SP
Town of Barnstable
Planning and Development Department
Elizabeth Jenkins, Director
Staff Report
Special Permit No. 2024-033 – 6M Development
Section 240-47.2 C. (4) – Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
To construct a 2-bedroom, 1,547 square foot, detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) above
the proposed barn/garage, which exceeds to allowable square footage by 647 square feet
Date: September 12, 2024
To: Zoning Board of Appeals
From: Anna Brigham, Principal Planner
Applicant: 6M Development/William Caulder
5 Union Wharf, Boston MA 02109
Property Address: 1045 Main St, Cotuit, MA
Assessor's Map/Parcel: 034/017
Zoning: Residence F (RF)
Filed: August 30, 2024 Hearing: September 25, 2024 Decision Due: December 8, 2024
Copy of Public Notice
6M Development/William Caulder has applied for a Special Permit pursuant to Section 240-47.2(C)
(4) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Applicant seeks to construct an ADU that is 647 square
feet larger than the allowed 900 square feet, for a total of 1,547 square feet. The subject property is
located at 1045 Main Street, Cotuit, MA as shown on Assessor’s Map 034 as Parcel 017. It is
located in the Residence F (RF) Zoning District.
Background
The subject property consists of a 1.75 acre lot with frontage on Main Street, Cotuit. According to
the Assessors records, there is one 3,195 square foot (4,282 gross) single family dwelling with 4
bedrooms, and it was constructed in 1916. The lot also contains a detached shed and the pool and
pool house are under construction. The area consists of a variety of shaped lots containing a variety
of sized residential dwellings.
Proposal & Relief Requested
The Applicant is proposing to construct a detached, 2-bedroom 1,547 square foot accessory
dwelling unit (ADU); therefore a Special Permit is required pursuant to Section 240-47.2 C. (4). Also
proposed is a barn containing a 2-car garage with the ADU above. The pool and pool house are
under construction.
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.
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Special Permit No. 2024-033 – 6M Development
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(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
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.
Procedure - NEW
A complete application has been received and as such the Board shall open the hearing by vote of
the Board. The Board shall then assign members and hear the matter before them. If the Board
needs additional information the Board may continue this matter to a date certain. Once the Board
has exhausted their review the Board shall motion to close the public hearing. At this time no new
Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report
Special Permit No. 2024-033 – 6M Development
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information or public comment is to be accepted by the Board. The Board shall now deliberate and
render a decision. When rendering a decision, a motion shall be made to (approve, approve with
conditions, or deny) with the following findings and conditions. The Board shall state findings and
may state or reference proposed conditions. Once findings and conditions are completed, a second
is called for. The Chair then asks for any discussion on the motion made prior to calling for a vote.
Lastly a vote is then called for.
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.
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. 2024-033, it may wish to consider the following
conditions:
1. Special Permit No. 2024-033 is granted to 6M Development/William Caulder pursuant to Section
240-47.2(C) (4) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Applicant seeks to construct an ADU that
is 647 square feet larger than the allowed 900 square feet, for a total of 1,547 square feet. The
proposed ADU will be located in the proposed barn above the 2-car garage. The subject
property is located at 1045 Main Street, Cotuit, MA.
2. The site development shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the plan entitled
“1045 Main Street, Cotuit, MA” prepared by Allen & Major Associates, Inc, dated April 30, 2024.
3. The proposed construction and 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.
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Special Permit No. 2024-033 – 6M Development
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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