15 Willow Avenue ZBA Certified Decision v;,.CONDIT44,O`
5P �� CITY OF SALEM
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ZONING BOARD B OF AP PEALS
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CITY HALL,ANNEX 2ND FLOOR,98 WASHINGTON STREET,SALEM INIA 019'
DOMINICK PANGAILO
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MAYOR
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August 7, 2026 -'
Decision - ,
City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals �'✓ ;,
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The petition of ANTHONY HUNTLEY at 15 WILLOW AVENUE (Map 33, Lot 0629) (111 Zoning
District; Coastal Resiliency Overlay District)for a finding per Section 3.2.8(4.k)Accessory Dwelling
Units (ADUs) of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to reconstruct a 1.5-story, fifteen-foot-tall garage
into a 2.5-story, 25-foot-tall. ADU with a staircase and landing located 1.7 feet from the north
property line.
On July 29, 2026, the following members of the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals were present:
Christa McGaha (Acting Chair), Ellen Simpson, Peter Habib, Elena Eimert, Stephen Larrick, and
Hilary Forbes. Nina Vyedin (Chair)was absent.
Statements of Fact:
1. In the petition date-stamped June 16,2026,the petitioner requests a Variance per Section
3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) of the Salem Zoning Ordinance. The petition was
amended with the Applicant's consent on June 17, 2026,to request a finding per Section
3.2.8 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
2. Anthony Huntley owns 15 Willow Avenue and is the petitioner, presenting on July 29,
2026.
3. 15 Willow Avenue (Map 33, Lot 0629) is in the R1 Zoning District and Coastal Resiliency
Overlay District (C-ROD).
4. According to correspondence from Mr. Huntley on June 17, 2026, the principal dwelling
is 2,042 square feet, and the proposed ADU is 621 square feet.
5. According to statements from Ms. Huntley at the July 29, 2026 meeting, the existing
garage's foundation, block walls, and concrete slab have been assessed and engineer-
stamped to certify that it can support the proposed ADU.
6. The City receives zero public comments before or at the July 29, 2026 hearing.
The Salem Zoning Board of Appeals, after carefully considering the evidence presented at the
public hearings, and thoroughly reviewing the petition, application narrative, and plans, makes
the following findings that the proposed project meets the provisions of the City of Salem Zoning
Ordinance:
City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
August 7, 2026
Page 2 of 3
Findings:
The Board finds that the accessory dwelling unit will not be substantially more detrimental than
the existing nonconforming structure to the neighborhood.
• The proposal creates an additional housing unit in the City in the form of an ADU.
• The proposal retains an existing garage for parking on the property.
• The proposal keeps,the garage's existing footprint while keeping windows facing away
from neighboring properties.
• The proposal will increase the property's tax base while providing a temporary positive
impact on City employment.
Based on the above statements of fact and findings, the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals voted
five in favor, (Hilary Forbes, Christa McGaha (Acting Chair), Ellen Simpson, Peter Habib, and
Elena Eimert)and zero opposed,to grant ANTHONY HUNTLEY at 15 WILLOW AVENUE (Map 33,
Lot 0629) (R1 Zoning District; Coastal Resiliency Overlay District) a finding per Section 3.2.8(4.k)
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to reconstruct a 1.5-story,
fifteen-foot-tall garage into a 2.5-story, 25-foot-tall ADU with a staircase and landing located 1.7
feet from the north property line.
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.
City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
August 7, 2026
Page 3of3
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.
CAAZC 1& .J1cAlza> , 10
Christa McGaha, Acting Chair
Zoning 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 Massachusetts General Law Chapter
40A, Section 17, 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,
extension, modification, or renewal granted herein shall not take effect until a copy of the
decision bearing the certificate of the City Clerk has been filed with the Southern Essex Registry
of Deeds.
Date AUG 2 8 2026
I hereby certify that 20 days have
expired from the date this instrument
was that NO APPEAL
has been filed in this Office.
A True Cop ' -
ATTEST. CLERK, Salem, Mass.