12 Woodside Street ZBA Final DecisionDOMINICK PANGALLO
MAYOR
CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF APPEALS
98 WASHINGTON STREET ♦SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
TEL: 978-619-5685
August 7, 2024
Decision
City of Salem Board of Appeals
The petition of RAYMOND MCSWIGGIN, TRUSTEE at 12 WOODSIDE STREET (Map 17,
Lot 200) (R2 Zoning District) for a Special Permit per Section 3.3.3 Nonconforming
Structures of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to extend an existing nonconforming structure
by constructing a 17’6” X 4’0” addition at the rear of the home. 12 Woodside Street is
nonconforming for lot area and all setbacks required in the R2 Zoning District.
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on July 17, 2024, pursuant to M.G.L
Ch. 40A, § 11 and was closed on July 17, 2024.
On July 17, 2024, the following members of the Salem Board of Appeals were present:
Nina Vyedin (Chair), Paul Viccica, Hannah Osthoff, Stephen Larrick, and Carly McClain.
Statements of Fact:
The petition is date-stamped June 26, 2024. The petitioner seeks the Board of Appeals
approval to construct a new seventeen-foot six-inch (17’6”) x four-foot zero inch (4’0”)
one-story addition at the rear of the property.
1. 12 Woodside Street is owned by the Raymond F. McSwiggin Trust.
2. The petitioner was Raymond McSwiggin, Trustee.
3. The representative was Aiden Church.
4. 12 Woodside Street is located in the R2 Zoning District (Map 17, Lot 200).
5. On July 17th, 2024, Aiden Church presented the plans to the Board.
6. 12 Woodside Street is nonconforming as it has 2,500 square feet of lot area, where
15,000 square feet is required and it does not meet any of the required setbacks
for the R2 zoning district.
7. Aiden Church informed the Board that an enclosed front porch addition was
allowed by special permit for 12 Woodside Street in 2022.
8. The request for relief is to construct a new one-story addition at the rear of the
property. The proposed structure will extend approximately four feet to the right
side of the property and four feet out at the rear of the property. The existing
covered porch/stairs will be removed with this proposed addition.
City of Salem Board of Appeals
August 7, 2024
Page 2 of 4
9. The purpose of the addition is a reconfiguration of the interior to allow for a new
bathroom and additional storage space.
10.This project will increase the nonconformity of the home but does not allow for
any new nonconformities at the property.
11.Paul Viccica inquired if this is a single-family home and if it will remain a single-
family home or will the proposed addition enable a second unit at the property.
12.Aiden Church stated that there will be no change of use with this proposal.
13.There were no submitted letters to the Board commenting on this project.
14.Raymond McSwiggin, homeowner, stated he had spoken with his neighbors, and
they did not express any concerns regarding the proposed addition at the property.
The Salem Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the
public hearings, and after thorough review of the petition, including the application
narrative and plans, makes the following findings that the proposed project meets the
provisions of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance:
Special Permit Findings:
The Board finds that the adverse effects of the proposed use will not outweigh its
beneficial impacts to the City or the neighborhood, in view of the particular characteristics
of the site, and of the proposal in relation to that site. In addition to any specific factors
that may be set forth in the zoning ordinance, the determination includes consideration
of each of the following:
1. Social, economic, or community needs are served by this proposal: the proposal
will provide the property owner with more functional interior space and a more
aesthetic second means of ingress/egress.
2. Traffic flow and safety, including parking and loading: there will be no impact on
traffic flow or parking.
3. Adequacy of utilities and other public services: there will be no change in utilities
with this petition.
4. Impacts on the natural environment, including drainage: there will be no impact
on the natural environment.
5. Neighborhood character: the project is in keeping with the neighborhood
character.
6. Potential fiscal impact, including impact on city tax base and employment: this
petition potentially will increase the tax base for the city.
City of Salem Board of Appeals
August 7, 2024
Page 3 of 4
On the basis of the above statements of fact and findings,the Salem Board of Appeals
voted five (5) in favor (Nina Vyedin (Chair), Paul Viccica, Ellen Simpson,
Stephen Larrick and Hannah Osthoff)) and none (0) opposed to grant RAYMOND
MCSWIGGIN a Special Permit per Section 3.3.3 Nonconforming Structures of the Salem
Zoning Ordinance to extend an existing nonconforming structure by constructing a 17’6”
X 4’0” addition at the rear of the home, subject to the following terms, conditions and
safeguards:
Standard Conditions:
1. Petitioner shall comply with all city and state statutes, ordinances, codes and
regulations.
2. All construction shall be done as per the plans and dimensions submitted to and
approved by the Building Commissioner.
3. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative to smoke and fire safety
shall be strictly adhered to.
4. Petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any construction.
5. Exterior finishes of the new construction shall be in harmony with the existing
structure.
6. A Certificate of Occupancy is to be obtained.
7. A Certificate of Inspection is to be obtained.
8. Petitioner is to obtain approval from any city board or commission having
jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the Planning Board.
9. Petitioner shall obtain street numbering from the City of Salem Assessor’s Office
and shall display said number so as to be visible from the street.
10.Unless this decision expressly provides otherwise, any zoning relief granted does
not empower or authorize the petitioner to demolish or reconstruct the structure(s)
located on the subject property to an extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of
its floor area or more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time
of destruction. If the structure is demolished by any means to an extent of more
than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost or more than fifty percent (50%)
of its floor area at the time of destruction, it shall not be reconstructed except in
conformity with the provisions of the Ordinance.
11.All construction shall be done per the plans and dimensions submitted to and
approved by this Board. Any modification to the plans and dimensions must be
approved by the Board of Appeals unless such changes are deemed a minor field
change by the Building Commissioner in consultation with the Chair of the Board
of Appeals.
12.Petitioner shall schedule Assessing Department inspections of the property, at least
annually, prior to project completion and a final inspection upon project
completion.
City of Salem Board of Appeals
August 7, 2024
Page 4 of 4
__________________________
Nina Vyedin, Chair
Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY CLERK.
Appeal from this decision, if any, shall be made pursuant to Section 17 of the
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of
this decision in the office of the City Clerk. Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40A, Section 11, the Variance or Special Permit granted herein shall not take
effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City Clerk has been filed
with the Essex South Registry of Deeds.