5 Fairfield St Statement of Grounds and Hardship STATEMENT OF GROUNDS FOR 5 FAIRFIELD STREET
SPECIAL PERMIT
This petition is filed by the owner/occupant of a non-conforming 1-family structure who
wants to alter the structure for use as a 2-family dwelling by interior renovations of the lower
level. This neighborhood is zoned R-2, so both the existing and proposed use are allowed uses.
The neighborhood is a mix of 1- 2-family and multi-family structures.
This proposed change will not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood
because:
a) The social, economic and community need for more residential dwellings that are
safe and up to code will be served by adding this additional dwelling unit to the City's
housing stock.
b) Adequate off-street parking for 3 cars is provided as laid out in the Zoning Board of
Appeals Plan by North Shore Survey Corporation, dated 9/29/23, as filed.
c) All necessary municipal utilities already serve this property and should be adequate
for the proposed 2-family use.
d) This work should have no significant impact upon the natural environment or surface
water drainage because all work will be inside the structure with no expansion of the
structure's footprint or roof.
e) As all work on the structure will be inside, the property will maintain its existing
residential character and height, so the proposal should have no material impact
upon the neighborhood's character.
f) The construction of the addition will provide several new temporary jobs, and the
City's property assessment will be increased after completion, adding additional tax
revenue to the City.
VARIENCE
This petition seeks approval of the alteration of an existing nonconforming 1-family
structure to add a second dwelling u8nit in the lower level which may be allowed by Special
Permit under Section 3.3.5 of the Ordinance. Such 2-family dwelling use is an allowed use in this
R-2 District.
The size of the lot, together with its long and narrow shape, together with the size and
location of the existing structure on the lot, constitute special conditions which limit and narrow
space for parking and driveway that affect this lot but not generally affecting other lands and
buildings in the neighborhood. The literal enforcement of the ordinance creates a substantial
hardship to the petitioner because they prevent him from making a 2-family use of the
property, which is an allowed use in this R-2 District.
Because of the mixed residential uses in the neighborhood, and the fact that petitioner
is making no structural or exterior improvements to the structure, and because adequate off-
street parking is being provided, the relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the
public good, and without nullifying or derogation from the intent of the district or the purpose
of the ordinance.