2-4 Forrester Street Petition FormDominick Pangallo
Mayor
CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
98 WASHINGTON STREET, 2ND FLOOR
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
Brennan Postich, Staff Planner
Phone: 978-619-5685
Stavroula Orfanos, Director of Inspectional Services
Phone: 978-619-5641
Zoning Board of Appeals Application
Application ID: ZBA-25-44 Date submitted: October 14, 2025
TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS:
The Undersigned represent(s) that they are the owner(s) of a certain parcel of land located at:
Address: 2 4 FORRESTER STREET Zoning District: R2
An application is being submitted to the Board of Appeals for the following reason(s):
I am proposing to build a two story addition above an existing extension on the rear of the house. The current extension is 5.8' x 12.3 feet
and is 22.6' from the rear property line and the required rear yard set back is 30 feet. The homes behind my property are over 75 feet
from the property line. There would be stairs added on each side of the existing extension as there currently is no access to the rear yard
from the main living level. I also am proposing to partially enclose below an existing porch on the left side of the builiding. The new
enclosed section would extend out the same as the deck currently at 7.5' and the width would be 12.5'. I would be removing the upper
deck corner and not enclosing below the deck that extends to an existing two story bay. This existing deck and new enclosed area is
directly adjacent to another land lot that is the exclusive use of this property at 2-4 Forrester street granted in perpituity by the property
behind, 52 Essex Street. The existing deck and new enclosed porch 35.5 feet from the property line of the adjacent house 8-10 Forrester
Street. In addition, I am proposing to remove the existing metal garage that is 10.6' x 18.9' totaling just over 200 square feet. The garage
is not from the original date of construction of the house. It currently is from 1.0' , 2.2' and 2.5' from the property line in two directions. My
request is to replace this much needed storage with two smaller more period appropriate designed sheds in a symetrical layout to the
main house structure. They would each be 6.0' x 13.0' totaling 78 square feet for a combined total of 156 square feet. I am requesting
these sheds be permitted to be 3.0' from the rear property line which is a larger set back than the current garage but less than the 5 feet
setback required. The sheds would be at least 5 feet from the side property lines. This proximity to the lot line would be consistent with
the original garage placement, and also with the outbuildings of the neighboring property and historic houses such as my property. It
would also maintain open views from the terrace and give more planting area. As I mentioned the houses behind my house are at a far
distance.
For this reason, I am requesting:
[ true ]Variance (s) from provisions of Section setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, specifically from The two attached
structures currently are not within the required rear setback of 30'. One is 22.6' and the other is 28.4 feet from the rear property line. The
two sheds are 3' from the rear property line rather than the required 5'.
[] A Special Permit under Section of the Zoning Ordinance in order to
[]Appealing a Decision of the Building Inspector:
[] Comprehensive Permit:
Current Property Use: Residential multifamily Are Lot Dimensions Included: Yes
The Undersigned hereby petitions the Board of Appeals to vary the terms of the Salem Zoning Ordinance and allow the project to be
constructed as per the plans submitted, as the enforcement of said Zoning By-Laws would involve practical difficulty or unnecessary
hardship to the Undersigned and relief may be granted without substantially derogating from the intent and purpose of the Zoning
Ordinance.
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Statement of Hardship (for Variances):
a) The special conditons are that the existing structures attached to the house that are being modified currently do not comply with new
required setbacks. Also the unusual condition of an additional open lot mitigates some of the setback density. The existing garage is
currently very close to the lot lines in two directions, 1.4' and 2.2'. The neighbors carriage house and large outbuiding is one foot from the
property line.
b/ c) I currently do not have direct access to the yard from the main level and as historically only the servants used the rear yard. There
are a number of town and neighbor benefits as the added bay is more like the other three sides of the house with bays and architectural
detail. The side porch although added many years ago does not really match the house and enclosing it on the largest open area does
not go against the purpose of the set back ordinance. Also, the removal of the metal garage would be a huge improvement to the
neighborhood and would also open up the view of the neighbors outbuilding which is right on the property line and blocked by the current
garage. The two new sheds would be an added public good as well and are further from the property line than the current garage. The
added open area that removal off the garage would make as well as the sheds slightly closer to the rear setback would enable more
landscaping to the benefit of everyone.
Statement of Grounds (for Special Permits):
Petitioner: Adam Schoenhardt
Address: 2 Forrester Street, Salem, MA 01907
Telephone: 617-775-3966
Email: inadamsgarden@comcast.net
Signature: ________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
If different from petitioner
Property Owner:
Address: ,
Telephone:
Email:
Signature: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
If different from petitioner
Representative:
Address: ,
Telephone:
Email:
Signature: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
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