boa_7_burnside_street_-_stamped_decision 10.2.2019 h:[)- 1-
CITY OF SALEM, MASSA
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BOARD OF APPEAL 3�27
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98��UASHINGTON STREET♦SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS 0197U t1Q SS
IiIMBERLEY DIUSCOLL TEL:978-619-5685
MAYOR
October 2, 2019
Decision
—.-- City of-S-aiem-Board of-Appeals---
Petition of GRAHAM W. HINES for a special permit per Section 3.3.5 Nonconforming Single-and
Two-Family Residential Structures of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to construct a shed dormer, a 6'
by IS'three-story side addition, and rear egress stairs for the first and second floors at the two-family
home at 7 BURNSIDE STREET (Map 36, Lot 157) (R2 Zoning District).
A public hearing on the above Petition was opened on August 21,2019 (during which no testimony was
heard)pursuant to M.G.L Ch. 40A,§ 11,continued to September 18,2019,and closed on that date with the
following Salem Board of Appeals members present:Peter A. Copelas,Mike Duffy(Chair), Timrni Heiserman,
Rosa Ordaz (alternate),and Paul Viccica.At the August 21 meeting,Mike Duffy(Chair),Jimmi Heiserman,
and Paul Viccica were in attendance.
The petitioner seeks a special permit per Section 3.3.5 Nonconforming Single- and Tim-Family Rerideretial Structures
of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
Statements of Fact:
1. In the petition date-stamped July 29,2019, the petitioner requested a special permit per Section 3.3.5
Nonconforming Single-and Trvo-Family Residential Structures of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to construct a
shed dormer,a 6'by 18' three-story side addition,and rear egress stairs for the first and second floors
at the two-family home at 7 Burnside Street.
2. Petitioner Graham Hines presented the petition.
3. The property is a two-family home in the Residential Two-Family (R2) zoning district.
4. The property is nonconforming to required front and side yard setbacks.The existing building is 2.5
stories in height,the maximum in the R2 zoning district.
5. The proposal is to add a shed dormer atop the existing structure,bringing the height to 3 stories
(exceeding the R2 maximum). The proposal is also to add a 3-story addition to the rear of the existing
structure,which shall extend past the envelope of the existing structure and include porches on each
level (first, second,and third stories).The proposal also includes the addition of egress stairs at the
rear of the property for the first and second floors. Per the application,the rear egress stairs are
proposed to be within 3'of the side property line; the minimum setback is 10'.
6. The requested relief,if granted,would allow the petitioner to construct a shed dormer, a 6'by 18'
three-story side addition,and rear egress stairs for the first and second floors at 7 Burnside Street.
7. At the August 21,2019 meeting of the Board of Appeals,only three Board members were in
attendance:Mike Duffy (Chair),Jimrni Heiserman,and Paul Viccica. Three members out of the five-
member Board constitutes a quorum (enough members to hold a meeting).However,per the Zoning
Board of Appeals'Rules and Regulations, "[t]he concurring vote of at least four(4) members of the
City of Salem Board of Appeals
October 2,2019
Project:7 Burnside Street
Page 2 of 3
Zoning Board of Appeals shall be necessary in any action taken by the Board."As such,the Board
could not vote to approve any petitions in the August 21 meeting. Petitioners were informed of this
attendance situation in advance and were given the opportunity to submit requests to continue their
petitions to the next regularly scheduled meeting on September 18,2019. In an email to Planner
Brennan Corriston dated August 20,2019,petitioner Graham Hines submitted a request to continue 7
Burnside Street to the September 18 meeting. This request was duly filed with the City Clerk on
August 21,2019. In the meeting, the Board voted three (3) in favor(Paul Viccica,Jimmi Heiserman,
and Mike Duffy (Chair)) and none (0) opposed to approve the motion to continue to the next
regularly scheduled meeting.
8. At the September 18,2019 public hearing,petitioner Graham Hines discussed his petition and the
requested relief. He explained that the shed dormer creates usable space on the third floor to allow
additional bedrooms,a bathroom,and a living area for the second unit.The decks on the side of the
building will create outdoor space for each floor. The rear egress stairs will exit from the living rooms
on the first and second floors.
9. At the September 18,2019 public hearing, the Board asked about the proposed decks.The petitioner
noted that the decks would look into the parking area of the adjacent property. The Board discussed
with the applicant the proposed rear egress stairs. Mr. Hines noted that the building is currently 1.9
feet from the side yard setback at that point. Chair Duffy noted that the side setback(where the stairs
will be located) will actually increase from the current condition.
10. At the September 18, 2019 public hearing, no (0) members of the public spoke in favor of or in
opposition to the petition.
11. At the September 18, 2019 public hearing, Chair Duffy read from the Statement of Grounds, which
discussed special permit criteria.
The Salem Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the public hearing, and
after thorough review of the petition, including the application narrative and plans, and the Petitioner's
presentation and public testimony,makes the following findings:
Findings for Special Permit:
The Board finds that the proposed nonconforming structure is not substantially more detrimental than the
existing nonconforming structure to the neighborhood.
1. Social, economic and community needs are served by the proposal: This will allow for a renovated
three-bedroom dwelling unit.
2. There will not be negative impacts to traffic flow and safety,including parking and loading. There are
four off-street parking spaces.
3. Adequate utilities and public services service the property.
4. Little impact is expected in terms of impacts on the natural environment,including drainage.
5. The property will be within the character of the neighborhood.
6. Potential fiscal impact, including impact on City tax base and employment: Bringing the second unit
into more complete use, along with the other improvements to the property, will likely increase the
assessed value of the house and positively impact the City tax base.
On the basis of the above statements of fact and findings, the Salem Board of Appeals voted five(5)in favor
Qimnii Heiserman,Paul Viccica,Mike Duffy(Chair),Peter A. Copelas, and Rosa Ordaz) and none (0)
City of Salem Board of Appeals
October 2,2019
Project:7 Burnside Street
Page 3of3
opposed to grant the requested special permit per Section 3.3.5 Nonconforming Single-and Two-Family Beridentiad
Structures of the Salem Zoning Ordinance to construct a shed dormer, a 6'by 18'three-story side addition,and
rear egress stairs for the first and second floors at the two-family home at 7 Burnside Street, 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.
,62-C
Mike Duffy,Ch
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.