8 HIGH STREET - ZBA 00
1
i
Legal Notice
CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF APPEAL
Will hold a public hearing for all
persons interested in the petition sub-
mitted by JOHN CAPECE seeking a
Variance from number of stories
allowed(2 1)2)to create a third floor
domrer&a Special Permit to after a
non-conforming structure'for the
property located at 8 HIGH STREET '
R-2. Said hearing will be held on
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007 AT
6:30 p.m.,3rd floor, 120 WASHING-
TON STREET,Room 313.
Nina Cohen,Chairman
SN-4/5,4/11/07
J -
May 24, 2007
Decision o �"
o c�
Petition of John N. Capece Requesting a Variance z
for the Property at 8 High Street T.
City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals o
D �r
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on April 18, 2007 pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 40A, Sec. 11. The following members of the Salenb
Zoning Board of Appeals ("Zoning Board of Appeals") were present: Nina Cohen N
(Chairwoman), Bonnie Belair, Elizabeth Debski, Richard Dionne, Annie Hams and
Robin Stein.
The petitioner, John N. Capece ("petitioner"), sought a variance from the 2 %z
stories allowed under the existing zoning ordinance to 3 stories, for the real property
located at 8 High Street, Salem, located within a two-family residential (R-2) zoning
district. The petitioner also sought a special permit to alter a non-conforming structure at
8 High Street.
The Zoning Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the
public hearing, and after thorough review of the petition submitted, submits the following
findings of fact:
1. Petitioner's property is a legal non-conforming three-family dwelling
within a two-family residence district.
2. Petitioner sought a variance to construct a dormer on the west side of the
roof to the three-family dwelling at 8 High Street.
3. Petitioner also sought a special permit to alter the legal non-conforming
three-family dwelling at 8 High Street. Such alternation would add living
space to the third floor unit with a lower pitched roof and also create a
safer emergency egress.
4. Jean Pelletier (Ward 3 Councillor) spoke in favor of both the request for a
variance and special permit.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence presented at the public
hearing, including, but not limited to the Petition, the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
l. Granting the Petitioner's request will not increase density on the site and
will result in a safer means of egress to and from the third floor unit.
Consequently, the requested relief does not constitute substantial
l ..
detriment to the public good and does not nullify or substantially derogate
from the intent or purpose of the zoning ordinance.
2. A literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would create a substantial
hardship to the petitioner.
3. In permitting such change, the Zoning Board of Appeals requires certain
appropriate conditions and safeguards as noted below.
In consideration of the above, five (5) members (Belair, Debski, Dionne, Harris and
Cohen) of the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant the petitioner's request for
a variance, and zero (0) members voted to deny the petitioner's request for a variance,
subject to the following terms, conditions, and safeguards:
I. 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
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 building pen-nit 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 shall be obtained.
7. Unless this decision expressly provides otherwise, any zoning relief
granted does not authorize Petitioner to demolish or reconstruct any
structures(s) on the property to an extent greater than 50% of the structure
as measured by floor area or replacement cost. If a structure on the
property is demolished by any means to an extent of more than fifty
percent of its replacement cost or more than fifty percent of its floor area
at the time of destruction, it shall not be reconstructed except in
conformity with this Ordinance.
A
Elizabeth Debski
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
J
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH 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 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 that 20 days have elapsed and no appeal has been filed, or that, if
such appeal has been filed,that it has been dismissed or denied and is recorded in the South Essex
Registry of Deeds and indexed under the name of the owner of record or is recorded and noted on
the owner's Certificate of Title.