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9 Albion st STATEMENT OF GROUNDS City of Salem Massachusetts Zoning Board of Appeals Planning and Community Development 120 Washington Street Salem, MA 01970 Re: Special Permit Application Chamberlain Residence 9 Albion Street Salem, MA 01970 This letter is meant to accompany the application for a Special Permit request for a proposed addition to 9 Albion Street. The existing single family home is on a non-conforming lot (lacks the required Lot Area and Frontage), and the existing home is non-conforming due to set back violations (the building violates the front and side yard setbacks). There is no change of use proposed as part of this project. The existing single family residential use will remain upon completion of the proposed project. We are proposing to tear down a small portion of the rear of the building and rebuild a 13’ wide by 18’ deep addition in its place. The proposed addition will violate the side yard set back requirements, however, the proposed addition will be built no closer than the existing non- conforming dimensions. Additionally, we are only proposing a 50% reduction of the side yard setback requirement on the left side (5’ is being provided where 10’ is required). We are seeking relief in the form of a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with Section 3.3.5. In speaking with the Building Inspector’s Office, it is our understanding that the proposed expansion/addition does not comply with the three options for the City to deem the project as “not increasing the nonconformity”, and therefore requires a Special Permit from the ZBA. No new dimensional non-conformities are being proposed as part of this project. Dimensional Requirements for the R-1 Zoning District Required Existing Condition Proposed Condition Minimum Lot Area 15,000 SF 5,841 SF 5,841 SF Minimum Frontage 100’ 32.0’ 32.0’ Minimum Setbacks • Front Yard 15’ 4.1’ 4.1’ • Left Side 10’ 3.2’ 5’ +/- • Right Side 10’ 4.4’ 8.0’ +/- • Rear Yard 30’ 76.5’ 56.0’ +/- Building Height 35’ 16’-5” 16’-5’ Max Lot Coverage 30% 14.6% 17.6% Note: Green highlighted elements above indicate existing non-conformities There are no new non-conformities proposed as part of this project Special Permit Criteria- The expansion of a non-conforming building on a non-conforming lot requires a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. As such, we would like to provide substantiation in regards to the items in Section 9.4 of the Salem Zoning Ordinance: a) The economic need of the community will be served by this proposal as an increase of the value of the home due to the proposed construction will lead to increased tax revenues being collected on the property. Increased property values will also be a benefit to the neighborhood. b) There are no proposed changes to the traffic flow patterns and for parking at the site. There will be no increased vehicular traffic as part of the proposed project and the owner will still have access to the driveway adjacent to the front door. c) We do not anticipate any changes to the utility needs for the property and the current utilities can support the larger building size. d) The proposed project will have limited (if any) effect on the natural environment. The existing storm water drainage patterns will remain in place and will be unaffected by the proposed addition. e) The proposed changes are all in keeping with the neighborhood character and the design of the building will fit seamlessly with the aesthetic of the neighborhood. f) The economic need of the community will be served by this proposal as an increase of the value of the home due to the proposed construction will lead to increased tax revenues being collected on the property. Increased property values will also be a benefit to the neighborhood. It is our sincere belief that given the information filed within this application proves that the proposed project is not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing structure. We hope that the Planning Board will find that this proposal is in keeping with character of the neighborhood and we seek your approval for the project. Respectfully, Ryan McShera Principal/Owner Red Barn Architecture Registered Architect (MA-Arch 51025)