Zoning Board of Appeals
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · April 13, 2021
Minutes
ZONING Board of APPEALS
166 Boulder Drive
Fitchburg, MA 01420
NOTE: This was a Virtual meeting on GoToWebinar due to the pandemic
MEETING MINUTES – April 13, 2021
MEETING TIME: 6:00PM
1. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 6:17 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ALL
2. Communications LM ATTENDANCE: Lauren McNamara (Chair), Michael
McLaughlin (Co-Chair), Joseph Byrne (Clerk), Christine Tree, Brian Gallagher & Greg Babineau
3. Absent: Jeanne Hudson
4. Hearings
CASE No. APPLICANT PROPERTY TIME
ZBA-2020-05 Dennis Bradley 1151 MAIN ST 6:00PM
Review of the Special Permit under §181.313 to stablish a car detailing business located in the Central Business District
Map 17 Block 64 Lot 0
No one is in attendance in the virtual audience for this hearing
LM – Petitioner has always been attended our meetings. Would like to give him the opportunity for a continuance
All other Board Member agreed to continuance the Review to June 8, 2021
MM – Motion on ZBA-2020-05 under §181.313 to Continue the Review to June 8, 2021
BG – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5–0 to Continue the Review to June 8, 2021
ZBA-2019-13 Ruth Jeanete Guzman 324 LUNENBURG ST 6:15PM
Review of Special Permit under §181.3561to reinstate a vacant/abandoned building as a 3-family dwelling located in a
Central Business District at 36/15/0
The virtual presentation was given by Ruth Guzman and Roger Zullo, stating that they have completed a lot of
work up through. In December, Building Inspector John wanted the sprinkler work to be done, or the sprinkler
system was required. We have submitted plans in 2019 for that, but he didn't feel they were adequate design, so we
got a sprinkler company to do it and were given the first week of February for review. There's a review process of
four to six weeks to do that; they go to the fire Department and various City agencies. The sprinkler company was
coming in the third week of March to do the work. Then John wanted to obtain a general permit, including all
plans and the sprinkler plans. A kind of overall review, so we sent those plans to him. Also, there were some
communication issues between the general contractor and John, the City Inspector, so we had replaced the
contractor who had made new plans to go through. So, there was a delay on this for the sprinklers; in essence, it is
what happened. At that point, John felt the time it elapses and wants a new general permit which I guess is
different from a particular sprinkler permit to complete the project. We met with Mark, the electrician, and John
Monday last week to go through the property to see what needed to be done and what could be done. Mark
mentioned submitting this new permit as soon as possible, which was submitted yesterday or today. The sprinklers
were a big issue on this.
LM – That did not bring that up at the last meeting several months ago
RZ - We didn't think it was going to be an issue. We submitted the plans in 2019 with everything. We were
surprised in December 2020 when the Building Inspector had told us that we needed the sprinklers done ASAP,
before doing any other work. We didn't know the preliminary plans were unacceptable. So, we went to the
sprinkler company, obtained new plans, paid thousands of dollars, got those submitted to John. There's a lengthy
review process for the sprinkler system to be done. Now with the new contract, we're hoping that we will get
something very positive. The sprinkler company is ready to move forward, and they were disappointed that they
couldn't finish the work before. The contractor is ready, and everything is in place to move forward except for a
review process. Hopefully, that will be done soon, which is out of our control at this point.
LM – We had received an update from John Morreale, basically outlining the project, and can you speak to the
season and desist and only one site inspection
RZ – December, that's when everything stopped because of the need to get the sprinklers to be the focus on
LM - Other than that, it looks like there have been some breakings, perhaps?
RZ - Door was; we had to put new doors in ASAP because it's a vacant property that isn't habitable—cleaning the
space up. We went with Mark last week, and it looked like everything is defined. Everything is done for the
kitchen area, just putting in cabinets getting things done. Still, the sprinklers need to be done because that was
something that John wanted to have done.
LM - So, once you get the go-ahead, this will get wrapped up and rented out. How long are we talking now?
RZ - Once John gives me the approval, the sprinkler is ready to go, and that's literally a week to two weeks and a
half, but we need the approval obviously, and I don't know how long John is going to take with that
LM – How many weeks to work on the actual property after sprinkler?
RZ - I would say to make sure probably two months from the end of the sprinkler at most, but how long it's going
to take for the approval for the sprinklers, I couldn't tell. If it takes six weeks for the review, it's April so that I
would say by the end of July.
LM - We don't meet in August, so that would be September
RZ – Okay
LM - If you have it done earlier, you can always go to the Building Department, let Mercedes know, and see if you
can get you on the agenda sooner.
LM - Is anyone here seeking any further information on this matter? None
LM – Is anyone here in support of the petition? None
LM – Is anyone here in opposition to the petition? None
CT - Wanted to ask Mr. Zullo if he will be continuing to have an interest in this property or managing the project?
Because I believe he's transferred his interest. He sold his interest.
RZ - I'm going to be working with Jeanette to help her navigate. She was the original owner, and I bought it to help
her navigate. And I'm committed to supporting and being involved in the process, so I'm committed to staying until
this project is completed.
JG - I say I am the most interested in finishing this project that has been like never before, but we are now taking
care and fixing everything. Sprinklers are supposed to be done, but they stop us because they needed the permit
from the City Hall, and the sprinkler company went to the fire department. We had changed contractor, who's a
very responsible person was highly recommend. I know that he's going to do a good job, so we hope it will be
faster than before. We are investing a lot of money in this project, so we appreciate your patience.
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BG - I would be inclined to do a continuance; there are a couple of things I'd like to see done in the process before
that. I notice when you're standing in front of the house, it looks like the windows smashed out of the front door,
and there's some jagged glass in the front door. Also, it looks like on the side of the building, there doing
something with the gas service going into the building. It is an open hole with a piece of particleboard that's
balanced on top of it; it looks like a safety issue. Exterior lighting has been snapped on a pole, laying over
sideways in the yard. There's a fair amount of debris in the parking lot. There's some construction material behind
the building with nails sticking up. So, I'd like to see the site cleaned.
LM - Which we have expressed when they come to our meetings
JG - We have an appointment with the gas company on the 15th because the plumber did the job
LM - I understand that they need the stoppage, but keeping the exterior of the building. Several times, it has been
expressed that you may have to come to Fitchburg and clean yourself but wanted the exterior to look neat.
RZ - I don't know when Brian was there
BG - Today
RZ – Okay, the outside it's pointed debris, the hole; I'm going to make a note in the hole. We can put do some
bored or something over it that's a potential hazard.
LM – You can take a lot of notes, but we want to see action. I may sound frustrated, but I think that happens when
we've seen this case for so long now and looking for simple exterior things to look as clean and neat as much as the
building can. So, I hope you're hearing us clearly and understand where we're coming from
GB – I agree with Brian, too; I think it's at least the third continuance here since I've been on the board. Also, agree
with Lauren. We have addressed that exterior every single time. Certainly, I am open to a continuance here, but at
some point, you lose your patience, so there's going to be some progress made on the property.
JB - to enter Brian's quotes, how about taking down the Christmas lights that run across the front of the building? I
was there today, and the back door to the house the very back door doesn't have any steps, so that's a safety hazard.
MM - I believe this case started back in January of 2019. I believe the board has been extremely accommodating to
all the delays throughout the several-year process. I think the most frustrating part is the fact that we've asked,
since the beginning, that the property, kept clean and free of construction debris, and at no time has it been. So, I'm
reluctant, but I'm in favor of approving the continuance, but I think the applicants need to do that due diligence
within the next week or so to make the property look like it's not abandoned on the exterior and to maintain it
throughout the completion of the project.
LM - Agreed
MM - Motion on ZBA-2019-13 to Continue the Review to September with the conditions as written on the
original approval and to also add a condition that the property will be cleaned in short order and maintained until
the project completion
1. Repair and paint all decking
2. Upgraded exterior uniform gutters, facial boards, vinyl siding
3. Full rehab kitchen and bathroom front first floor
4. Paint kitchen and bathroom from the second floor with a granite kitchen counter and new vanity in
the 3-unit
5. Alter paving and landscaping as per plan submitted to the Zoning Board (Dated 5/14/2019)
6. Repair slated roof or re-shingle with good quality asphalt
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7. All items outlined in exhibit D, "Scope of work," to be completed
8. The special permit shall terminate/expire if the property is sold or transferred prior to all conditions
from Zoning Board have been met
9. Property not to be Occupied or put into use before Zoning Board findings that all conditions have
been met
10. Review on September 14, 2021, at which time it is expected that all exterior and interior work will be
completed
11. Property to be kept free or outside storage or debris and to maintained at all times throughout the
completion of the project
12. Yard to maintain in acceptable conditions throughout the completion of the project
13. The property will be cleaned in short order and held until the project completion
BG – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5 – 0 to Continue the Review to September 14, 2021
ZBA-2020-01 Gapco, LLC 54 LUNENBURG ST 6:35PM
Paul Tocci
Review of a Special Permit under §181.355 to reinstate a vacant/abandoned building as a two-family dwelling
located in the Residential C District Map 45 Block 50 Lot 0
The virtual presentation was given by Aurelio Rodriguez, stating that he bought the property from Paul Tocci. He
recently passed, and I bought it without knowing anything about it being converted over, or special zoning or
anything. He told me that I couldn't run any business out of there or anything like that. I'm surprised by the notice
saying that I'm in violation of making it into a two-family
LM - When did you purchase the building?
AR - I want to say November of last year, but I'm not sure if it was more like September last year.
LM - I saw you close on August 14th, 2020. So, I am confused. You're unaware of the petitioner coming to the
board looking for conversion into a two-family home, but we were expecting that you were.
AR - I was expecting to buy what I was getting; the apartment upstairs in the garage is below. I was renting the
garage from before for storage and parking. Before Paul died, he liquidated everything, and he offered the property
to me.
LM - The property problem is that it has been vacant abandoned on the business side for a long time. I don't know
the status of the apartment itself.
AR - I'm not running any business out of it.
LM - I understand that is the apartment itself is that occupied by someone.
AR - yes
LM – How long that's been?
AR - Probably since September
LM - Before that, it had been vacant
AR - I bought it empty, yes
JB - How did he get an occupancy permit?
LM - I'm trying to get to the bottom of this and want to know how you got utilities turned on?
AR - Utilities were always on
LM – It was unoccupied for a long time, and it fell into the vacant, abandoned status with the city of Fitchburg
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AR - I didn't know all this.
LM - Is there anyone here seeking any information? Other than Mr. Petitioner - None
LM – Is there anyone in favor of the petition? None
LM – Is there anyone in opposition to this petition? None
MM - I think at this point, just to kind of move things along. I'm going to be looking at revoking the special permit
and making comments about the building. The building has been, I believe, in abandoned status for quite some
time. If the current owner hasn't met with the building commissioner to get the appropriate permits and get the
building up to code, probably recommend that as a first step.
LM - What was interesting to me is the note from the Commissioner. The comment with this one is that they
reached out to the new owner and ask him to attend tonight's meeting. Still, I strongly feel that the actual Building
Department needs to do some guidance here. As to what they need to do, because after all, it's falling under the
vacant, abandoned building, they shouldn't have been able to switch utilities and make a move with the property
and that regards. There should have been someone from the building Department following this through, so I'm not
sure.
MM - As I mentioned, I think our recommendation should be to the representative or the property's current owner
to meet with the Commissioner and discuss its future. And for us to move ahead separately with the special.
LM - If the new owner wants to make an application, I think this application is done because the owner has sold
the building. And obviously, he passed away, so we don't have a case with the new owner. He has to figure out and
decide what he wants to do with the building.
MM - That's correct. This is a simple review.
AR - I have no problem dealing with the building department, and doing this study permits to get the place going. I
had no idea that I needed an occupancy permit when I bought it. I just thought the place looks great; it is fully
functioning. There's nothing wrong with it, but I'm willing to do that if I need to go through the building
department. I want to work with you all, and I want to make sure that we're on the right page.
LM - I appreciate that. I know you've just been thrown into something that you're unaware of, so I appreciate that
you're willing to work with the Building Department and this Board. I am leaning towards revoking the Special
Permit because it doesn't have anything to do with you anyway, and I think that would be the best move for us. It
doesn't mean that you can't move forward in your direction with the property, but at this time, it doesn't have
anything to do with you.
AR – So, the next step I should do is to stop to discuss with the Building Commissioner about the property?
LM -Yes, but to make sure I go around with the Board Members and make sure we're all on the same page. So, if
you can bear with me one moment, I'm sure the Building Commissioner will be happy to help you, and he will love
to see that building renovated. We just wanted it to be done right. That's all
BG - One positive note, they've cleaned it up nicely since the last time we met. I went by it today, and I thought it
looked really good, and I am looking forward to working with the new owner.
JB - I asked before, and I'd still like to know. How he got people moved into that apartment without an occupancy
permit, or anything like that when it's been vacant for such a long period of time. It's just crazy that you can do that
LM – Utilities never got turned up, so I can understand him not knowing anything otherwise. So, I hope we can get
the Building Department on board.
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GB - What does the petition intend to do with this property? The original petition and owner were looking to
convert this to a two-family. Are you unsure what you want to do with this property at this point?
AR - I would love to turn it into two-family, but as far as the cost is, it put me in a hard place trying to do that right
now. In the future, I would love to turn it into a two-family; just right now, I don't see it in my plans. I want to do
what's right with it, but right now, doing what I'm doing with it, I'm happy the way I am right now.
GB – So, the advice you've been given them would stand to go to the Building Commission, but I would point out
that the original petition did some work. There's a plot plan done for parking. I believe there was a design for the
interior, so you may reference that in the future if you do determine that is something you want to pursue. It was
done by a professional company, such as laid out for the parking plot plan with a sort of a rendition of the building
itself.
LM - I think what we'll do is, move to a motion. I believe the path we have to go as we talked. Since it doesn't have
anything to do with this petition, we can revoke the Special Permit and send him after the Building Department.
MM - Motion on ZBA-2020-01 under §181.355 to Approve the Special Permit Review
JB – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote in the affirmative 0 – 5 to Approve the Special Permit Review - Special Permit been REVOKED
ZBA-2021-03 Maikira Padilla 218 ROLLSTONE ST 6:50PM
Continuance:
Special Permit under §181.782 to operate a Home Occupation business as a Hair Artist services allowing client trips to the
occupation site in the Residential C District Map 53 Block 37 Lot 0
The Virtual presentation was given by Maikira Padilla and Gustavo Quiroz, stating that at the last hearing on
March 9, 2021. The Board's concern was about the parking spaces we have on 218 Rollstone street, and that's true
on Rollstone Street we have no parking. But we do have a parking space on Franklin Street, on the other side of the
road. Currently, it is only 9 by 18 space. We are planning to make an extension to that parking space, and I have
talked to a contractor to make it bigger. He says that it is possible, and he's going to extend and make it almost 20
by 18. Close one additional space to the side of the house for one more car. After all, it gets complete; we're going
to be able to accommodate about three additional vehicles, besides that one we already have. So, all together are
going to be four spaces.
LM - Would you be looking for a 9 by 18 and a half? Currently, our City parking size is 9 by 18 ½, so 20 by 18
would only give you two spots.
GQ – Yes, close the spot side of the house that would be like almost 9 by 12, but I don't know how to explain it,
but if you stand over Franklin Street, the property on the right side is a little bigger. Then the parking space that we
currently have is a little bit longer than 9 by 18, which we have currently, so he was making the measurements and
said that size would be a little bit longer.
LM - Is he drawing this up and putting this certified Plan for you?
GQ - No, I was talking only to the contractor
LM – Is anyone in the audience seeking information in this petition? None
LM – is anyone in the audience in favor of this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience in opposition to this petition? None
MM - I'm all for looking at this case. Still, I would like to see a certified parking plan to understand if there truly is
enough parking for the residence and the business. I've gone by the property multiple times that I know there's
great intent, but it's an extremely small lot in there. It appears to be a tiny yard that could convert to parking. I
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would like to see a professional drawing regarding the parking. That truly reflects the ability to park vehicles
properly and be able to accommodate snow removal, and to be able to open the vehicle's doors. Because there
appears to be very little to no off-street parking just for the residents, never mind the business. As we all know, we
can't look at parking on the sidewalk as accommodations for vehicles because of this parking ban.
BG – I visited the property and was to meet the owner. He showed me his Plan, and I think it's conceivable to have
someone come out and do a certified parking plan for us. So, that we can move accordingly, intentions are good, it
can accomplish that, I could feel positive about moving forward on this.
GB – I go by the property number of times. I'm certainly no engineer, but I struggle to see how four spaces could
fit at the Franklin Street side. I'm sympathetic to making the petitioners spend money to come up with a plan. But I
think it is required here, given that this is a very tight neighborhood. We have to do our due diligence to make sure
that there isn't a negative impact on any of the abutters, so that I would ask for the Plan.
JB - Everything has been said
LM - DPW commented that Rollstone has no driveway and some limited on-street parking. This appears to service
one of the building units. The rear of the property along Franklin has a small driveway. Although parking is
allowed on Franklin street but is not much room along the shoulder. This appears to service the second unit in the
building or side of the property. So, this concludes that we do need a parking plan.
CT - I wanted to ask the petitioner. I know that you have two very large trees on your property, right about where
the driveway will go. Are you planning that either one of them will be cut down to put the driveway in?
GQ - Right now, talking to the contractor, he said no, we don't have to remove any trees because I need to find out
if any of those trees are belong to me or belong to the City. We would need to find out who has ownership of those
trees because they have been there forever. We don't have to cut down any trees our contractor plan that he is
trying to accomplish.
CT - What are your planned hours of operation?
MP - I would like to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, by appointment only and take one customer at a time.
CT – So, generally, you're not planning to operate into the evening?
GQ – No, her main Plan is to attend one customer at a time because it will be only by herself, and she doesn't want
to get crazy. On a special occasion, if the job requires the latest time, it will be like 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM.
CT - You're not using a second apartment right now. Are you using that as a single-family?
GQ – Yes, that is correct; since I bought it, I didn't know this was two-family
CT - I just wanted to comment, generally, that you kept nice-looking property on the exterior. So, you've done a
great job with that. I did like to see how well you keep the house, and if you can resolve the concern with the
parking, that's my primary concern with this operating here. When the parking plan is designed, I am curious to
know-how will to set it up, especially if the trees aren't going to be taken down. It will be very tight to fit that space
in there, and if it's going to be four, I think it's going to be two and two going in, which means that everybody will
have to back out into the street. Suppose the trees are not being taken down the visibility with those large trees. In
that case, you have right there on the road, and the way that Franklin Street is set up is very concerning to me. If
there were some way that there could be a visibility aid like having a large mirror is possible to install to help
somebody backing out onto Franklin street, but I would like to see something that would improve that line of sight
if we are going to use that driveway for that purpose.
GQ - I'm going to talk to the contractor, so probably he knows whose may be able to do it.
LM – So, how much time do you think you need for a continuance?
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GQ – I want to mention that every time I tried to communicate to somebody at the City Hall. When I call trying to
get the permit for the parking lot extension, it seems like nobody knows what the process is. I don't know if I'm
supposed to talk to the DPW or the Highway Department.
LM – You need to focus on talking to your contractor right now to get you someone who can do a parking plan and
then come back to us.
GQ - I'll do that. I'm going to start working on it.
LM – How much time do you think? Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to get a parking plan done by you to
know someone. Generally, it may take a month or two.
GQ – Probably, I need like two more weeks
LM – So, our next available time to come to a meeting would be June 8, if that works for you.
GQ – You don't have a meeting next month?
LM – We have twelve cases already but work on getting a plan together by an engineer. I think you will need to
June, what you could do, if you did get the plane done before then, and you contacted our Secretary and let her
know that you do have a plan and you are ready to go if it's before June. Then we can see if we can fit you in
somehow
GQ - I'll do that
MM - Motion on ZBA-2021-03 under §181.782 to Grant a Continuance to June 8, 2021, with the following
conditions:
1. At which time the petitioner will present a certified parking plan for the Special Permit
2. Petitioner to invite his contractor who's going to implement the Plan to the meeting
BG – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5–0 to Grant a Continuance to June 8, 2021
ZBA-2020-25 Brian LeClair 0 FISHER RD 7:05PM
Continuance:
Remand by order of the Land Court to consider anew an application for a Variance under §181.961 to construct a single-
family dwelling with less than the lot width required by section §181.414 located in the Residential B District Map S11 Block
4 Lot A , with the issues for the Board’s consideration on remand to include at least: (i) whether, absent a variance, the
Plaintiff will suffer a “substantial hardship, financial or otherwise” and whether said hardship is sufficient justification for
the grant of a variance or was self-imposed; and (ii) whether the grant of a variance is otherwise “without substantial
detriment to the public good and without nullifying or substantially derogating from the intent or purpose of” the Zoning
Ordinance
The virtual presentation was given by Brian LeClair, stating that he wanted to ask if he could get a sixty-day
extension on this. I have a buyer who has signed a purchase and sale agreement; there was a contingency there, but
I said it looks like I have a buyer. I was going to see if I could be granted a sixty-day extension.
LM – I am curious as to you got a buyer to buy the whole package?
BL – Yes, my lawyer Adam Costa has been talking to him. As I said, they did sign a purchase and sale agreement,
we agreed upon everything, but obviously, they are communicating for obvious reasons.
LM - And the buyer is aware of what he's buying?
BL – Yes
LM - Did you end up going to the Conservation Board?
BL - I have not yet
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LM - That was a major factor for us anyway
BL – Yes, that's why I'm waiting on it. Suppose this potential buyer is happy with what the circumstances are. In
that case, I'm going to give him the race because this was a little much. These lands are very stressful, so if he
wants to take over where I left off. I'm happy to pass it on; if not, then I will keep trucking along.
LM - I know there were folks here in the past, so you're looking for 60 days, bringing us into June. Are Sixty-days
enough, or would you be looking for in July?
BL - I say longer is better. It seems like everything takes longer than expected doing this.
LM - July 13 works for you?
BL – Okay
LM – Is anyone in the audience seeking any information in this case?
Mr. Foster raise his hand through the virtual system, but there was a problem with the system at his end.
LM – I anyone in the audience in favor of this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience in opposition to this petition? None
BG – In favor of the extension, other than that, I don't have any questions
GB - I am inclined to say yes to an extension, I'd say it saved us forty-five minutes tonight, but I feel I will be
revisiting those forty-five minutes somewhere in the future.
JB - Did I understand the particular correctly that he's selling the property? And he has already informed the new
person that is purchasing the property that he has these problems?
BL – Yes, Atty. Adam Costa has been talked with him, so everything is on the table.
JB - I have no problems letting him have an extension
MM – On favor granted a continuance as long we have proper documentation.
MM – Motion on ZBA-2020-25 under §181.961 & §181.414 to Grant a Continuance to July 13, 2021
JB – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5–0 to Grant a Continuance to July 13, 2021
ZBA-2021-04 Daniel Brisebois 48 BERNARD DR 7:25PM
Special Permit under §181.782 to park a 7 X 14 enclosed trailer at the primary single-family dwelling residence for a Mobil
Auto Detailing Business use located in the Residential A-1 District Map 136 Block 8 Lot 0
The virtual presentation was given by Daniel Brisebois, stating that he lives at the property. I'm running a part-time
mobile detailing business, which I detail at other people's houses. My shop and my equipment are located inside 7
by 14 enclosed trailer, black no lettering, nothing like that on it, and parked in my driveway.
LM - So, you wouldn't get any detailing on the property, you want to take the mobile unit with you when you go?
DB - The trailer goes with me when I go detail, correct
LM -The reason you are here is that you want to be able to park there and take care of business all alone
DB - Correct
LM - Anything else to add?
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DB - It's pretty straightforward. I did present some photos of the trailer its pretty basic altogether.
LM - Is anyone in the audience seeking any information in this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience who's in favor of this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience in opposition to this petition? None
JB - The black trailer that we're talking about is the one that was parked behind the residence today?
DB – Correct, it is park there most days.
JB - This is where it sits and will be parked all the time, or do you plan to put it out on display on the lawn?
DB - I'm not detailing at the property, this is my home, and the office is here where I take phone calls to do
paperwork, but no. I hook it up to my truck, and I take it out to other people's houses when I start the business.
JB - I understand that, but I'm saying when it is on your property, is it always going to be parked where it was
parked today?
DB - I would say it's either going to be there or possibly in the lower driveway, but most likely in the upper
driveway.
GB - It is at the risk of being redundant; I want to make absolutely sure this is the storage only of the trailer?
DB - Yes
BG - I did note that the property is well maintained, and it looks good, and the trail is brand new, and it fine with
me.
CT - I wanted to mention that I did receive a neighbor comment' who was concerned about trips in traffic to and
from the property. I just wanted the petitioner to confirm that he's not going to have any customers coming to the
house.
DB – Correct, if you look on our Facebook website, any literature we have, it doesn't have an address. There's
nothing that remotely suggests as to where the business home is located.
CT - Do you ever bring your customer's cars back to your house to perform the services, or do you always perform
services away from your home?
DB - It's going to be 99% away from the house unless it's a multiday service which would be extremely high-end
and would be in my garage the entire time. Which most people in this area don't do that type of work
CT – Also, I wanted to echo Brian's comments. Your home is lovely and very well kept, and a very nice
neighborhood, definitely a quiet residential area. The only concern I have is that you have the lower driveway with
the garage. I believe the lower driveway is a one-car driveway outside.
DB - We can't even fit either of our vehicles in that garage
CT - It looks like more of a storage garage
DB - It is
CT - Then on the upper driveway, it is a single Lane driveway, and you had the trailer plus, I think three vehicles,
and then your truck parked up to the side. So, you're having a lovely family and putting that full driveway use with
all the cars for the family. I'm guessing
DB - Sometimes there are musical cars because I leave so early for work in the morning. I have another full-time
job, so sometimes we have to offset the vehicles for the musical cars in the morning.
CT - So, everybody has to come out and maneuver to get everybody in and out and around.
DB - Exactly
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CT – So, my commentary is that parking and storage would be my only concern, so if this were allowed, I would
be allowing it provided the following conditions. Number one that the owner attempt to park the trailer behind the
house where it's currently parked. Number two that there be no more than one customer vehicle at a time on the
property, given the limited amount of parking
GB - The clarifying question is storage only; the install is affirmative. Christine asked probing questions it
suddenly became 99% of the time to 1%. I just these things tend to grow. I want a little bit more clarification here.
Its defining how much work will be done at the house in the garage, I was zero, and then it became 99% of the
time.
DB - It would probably be a very small exotic sports car, and it would be a multiday process doing a ceramic
coating. Generally, services that nature will run over $2000, so the abundance of that type of work I don't honestly
even really see me doing any of that, to tell you the truth, would be like an extreme situation.
GB - Just complaining it condition potentially
DB - honestly, don't want to do any detailing at my house, personally.
MM - I think the Board captured any of its usual concerns. The property is impeccable, and the trailer is new. It's
clearly defined as an offsite business. I think that's really homes in on the true criteria for a home occupation. So, I
don't have any questions.
LM - My comments are more questions are that in the past we have considered and have done, is have petitioner
coming back on the busiest season. Maybe this is his busy season, or perhaps it is after winter, but he will be doing
a lot of detailing on the road. So, we can perhaps put a clause for a review and look back to this and see how the
business went. Also, not to operate as a nuisance, and he can let us know if any problem and if he's constantly
detailing at the house. So, those are two options that we could consider. I know this is straightforward, but it
sounds like a couple of numbers are not entirely comfortable, so we do have those options.
DB - I want the Board to know that I owned a detail shop for twenty years. It was located out of the classic car
wash in Leominster. If I would do detail full-time again, I would think and get myself a proper location. This is a
part-time business for me right now, but I would look into getting another garage if something changes.
LM – Board Members, how would you be inclined to move forward? Do you want a year review or just a simple
language not to be operated as a nuisance, any conditions?
MM - I'm okay moving ahead without a review, it's an offsite business, and I am certainly comfortable with
Christine's comments regarding conditions that you would like to see.
BG - I agree with what Michael said.
JB – On favor with a sunset clause and a not to be operated as a nuisance
CT - I'm just going to reiterate the two conditions, I agree with the sunset clause, agree with the non-nuisance. The
trailer to be parked behind the home, and no more than one customer vehicle present on the premises at any one
time. I don't know if we wanted to add all any services to be performed inside rather than outside.
LM – So, far I think he hasn't said anything about a customer visit.
CT – But could get a customer vehicle so he could drive the customer's vehicle and leave it on-premises
DB - The goal isn't to be cleaning cars here at my home
LM - Right, we understand, but we make on some conditions.
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GB – Everything has been covered
CT - Motion on ZBA-2021-04 under §181.782 to Approve the Special Permit for storage of a 7 X 14 enclosed
trailer at the primary residence of 48 Bernard drive for mobile auto detailing business with the following condition:
1. The trailer is to be parked behind the home
2. There shall be no more than one customer vehicle stored on the premises at any one time
3. The Special Permit expired every five years
4. The business shall not be operated as a nuisance
5. Sunset Clause-Special Permit shall terminate/expire upon the sale/transfer of the business/property
from Daniel Brisebois
BG – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5–0 to Approve the Special Permit with conditions
ZBA-2021-05 Talitha Slocum 170 ARN-HOW FARM RD 7:45PM
Special Permit under §181.313B6 to use of land for the primary purpose of agriculture less than five acres in area on an
existing single-family dwelling located in the Rural Residential District Map 323 Block 3 Lot 0
The virtual presentation was given by Talitha Slocum, stating that when she moved to the property, she had the
intention of doing some small farming. Particularly for having my own organic food, and my husband and I own
an agricultural tree company. We're just trying to follow the steps to the proper steps to use our land; I didn't
realize that you couldn't have chickens if you had less than 5 acres of land in a residential zone in Fitchburg. So,
that's how this all started, so we would like to keep the land originally established as farmland. This is a very
historical piece of property; this used to be a dairy farm a long time ago. There are still many cool things on the
property that show evidence of that. We want to keep it historically farmland and use it that way for our family.
LM – Is anyone in the audience in support of this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience in opposition to this petition? None
LM – Is anyone in the audience seeking information on this petition? Mary Heline of 160 Arn-How Farm Rd. I am
an immediate abutter, and I am raising my voice with some concerns for few different things, as far as the
Fitchburg zoning goes. I would like to know that they are current in violations of the current Fitchburg Zoning
Ordinance under Chapter 181.3216, which states that Landscaping Business is prohibited in the Residential Zone.
They are currently operating a landscape business out of this property with quite a bit of large machinery. If we do
grant this use, there will be a lot of other convoluted items that come along with it, and I have a few different
concerns as their neighbor. So, that would be the first thing I would kindly request from the zoning board. Bring
them into compliance first, with the current rural residential status, before granting any Special Permit. I truly don't
mind chickens as a neighbor if they go through the proper channels, but Roosters are a major concern. The coop
that they have is right behind my window in my bedroom, and so if this were to be allowed, I would be seeking
conditions for Roosters. I would also be seeking conditions as to how many vehicles can be parked on the property.
Because they are operating their landscaping business, which I don't believe falls under agricultural use status.
Those are a few of my main concerns, but I think as for a night, I would like to bring to the attention of the Zoning
Board that they are not in compliance currently and that they fall under current compliance before we go into
Special Permit status.
BG - I went out to the site, a couple of things I noticed I met with the applicants. I did note that the chicken coops
themselves appear to be portable, clean, and have no odor of birds, and they've been well fed and taken care of. So,
in terms of that view, that very favorably. The yard adjacent to the coops itself was clean, I didn't know that there
were a lot of vehicles parked on the property, and I brought that up as well to the applicant. They had expressed an
interest in turning what was previously a barn into parking for the vehicles so that they would be out of sight. I
suppose they're going to be able to tell us all those things. They get an opportunity to speak; other than that. I don't
have anything else.
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GB - How many Roosters are on the property?
TS - Three Roosters
GB - I don't know what restriction here on the landscaping complaint, but I know it's been brought before us
because of a nuisance complaint. I believe the Roosters and the agricultural use for chickens slash rooster. I have
no other questions other than to confirm there are Roosters.
BG - When I spoke to the applicants, they had mentioned that they have collard on the Roosters, and I forgot to ask
them how effective that was in terms of noise in the morning
TS – Yes, it's similar to like how a dog collar would be, but it is Velcro, and it's tighter around the neck, which
prevents them from extending their neck to make the loud noise
LM - Do they make noises currently in early in the morning
TS - It's like a gurgle; it's not loud noise. It's funny-sounding; they sound like they're choking a little bit, even
though they're not.
LM – I would like to hear from the neighbor on that. Is any noise level?
MH - I honestly the collards are fine, as long as there is an order of conditions that can uphold. I have no issues
with that. I still hear them from time to time, but everything she said is entirely true as far as the noise level. Just
having lived next to them now, I've come to realize it's not just in the morning; it's all day they bagel off when
they're not wearing the collars. So, if this is something they want to have, I would request that it hopefully be in the
order of conditions because that coop is not very far from my home. It may be 50 feet; I would say maybe a little
bit more.
CT - How long have you had the chickens on the property?
TS - It'll be a year in May
CT - You said you have three Roosters; how many chickens do you have?
TS - Twenty
CT - Did you build the coop at the same time?
TS - The coop came later because some of the Hawks in the neighborhood were killing them. So, we built it to the
enclosure and protected them from that. It's not a permanent thing; I can move it. The only thing is how the land is
and the different spots; it seems like it's kind of like a sound vortex, so even if we go farther away. I don't think it
will help the sound, so it makes more sense to keep the collars on them at all times or to find a new home for the
Roosters.
CT - Is there a particular reason it's located where it is?
TS - In the wintertime, they need heat lamps, so I have to run an extension cord, and then we have a septic system
in the leach field. So, it restricts that from being closer to the side of the house, but it needs to be close long enough
for the extension cord for the heat lamps out in the winter for the chickens.
CT - How close is it to the abutter's line?
TS -I've never measured it; directly behind our house to the farthest corner of our house, our homes are very close
together, but I think as Mary said, it's probably over 50 feet, but I'm not exactly sure.
CT - How far is it from the River that's running behind the house?
TS - I haven't measured that either, and it's like a seasonal stream, so sometimes it's dry. So, I'd have to measure it
now when it's wet, definitely more than 10 feet. I don't know how exactly though
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CT - How are you disposing of the waste from the chickens?
TS - Use that for fertilizer, so it's being utilized in the ground and collected. I intend to do a garden fence as well as
and portable greenhouse for saplings and produce. So, that we can eat organically, it will constantly be used as
fertilizer.
CT - Are you planning on using any of the chickens for meat or just for eggs?
TS - Meat and eggs
CT - I want to know more about your petition covers because I know that there's a landscaping business on the
property. Where the vehicles are stored, are you asking for permission for anything other than to keep chickens?
TS – Yes, I was directed by a couple of different people, and I've never done this before. I want to make sure that I
had covered everything; it's not landscaping. It's tree removal and replacement. So, it's logging cordwood, so it
falls under agriculture. We wanted to keep the business on another site, but we couldn't continue to afford to pay
the rent. So, we had to bring it here, we don't love having it here, but it's what we can afford right now. Hopefully,
in the future, we can have a commercial site, but in the meantime, the intention was to rebuild the barn and put the
trucks organized and have them not exposed because it's not good for them to be exposed to the elements as it is. It
puts wear and tear on them. So, we just wanted to ensure we covered every aspect of what we have going on over
here instead of leaving anything else.
CT - Are you conducting any part of the business other than the storage of the vehicles?
TS – No, everything is off-site
CT - Are you using any equipment to do logging, tree removal, or clearing on your property?
TS - We use some. We also have a small excavator that we use to move the wood chips around. We have a
woodchip driveway, unfortunately, because we haven't been able to pave it yet. So, that we don't get mud tracked
into the house, and we also use them for the garden and the chicken coop. Because it helps keep everything fresh.
As they decompose, wood chips create a root system that's healthy for the chickens to dig up and eat. So, it's kind
of an ecosystem that we have going on, so everything stays recycled.
CT - Do you have another site that you use to dispose of the wood chips from the work that you're doing, or are
they being used on your property?
TS - Other places buy the woodchips from us, and then there's a recycle place called Pine Tree Power, which we
bring them to. So, we do bring them here to use them, but they do get recycled at another place.
CT - Is the fence between yourself and your neighbor? Who does that belong to?
TS - My neighbor
CT - Can you tell me about the Conservation Commission you went through with the property earlier this year?
TS - We have the trucks over by where the original barn was. We had some dirt from a friend that was coming
over who works for the City. We learned the hard way you can't have dirt delivered to your property without
permission or something like that. We also were made aware that the land over by the barn was supposed to wet,
but there was never any documentation on any of the mortgage purchasing or anything similar. The only thing that
was present was the seasonal strain, and we inherited it. I bought it from my parents it was going to be a flip, and
we decided we wanted to stay here. So, we already did a lot of work. We had to hire a biologist and everything to
make sure that we weren't intruding on any ecosystem that was happening over there. We took care of that.
CT - Are you in compliance right now with any order of conditions from the Conservation Commission/
TS - As far as I know, yes
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CT - Is the chicken coop located on any land that the Conservation Commission examined?
TS – No
MM - I got a chance to visit and speak with the applicant to understand the request, and I guess at this point, I want
to make sure the current business. I guess the question would be; does it require a permit, or has it been permitted
before we move ahead with the request for the chicken coop.
TS – Mark Sullivan, the City Building Inspector, suggested that we go in front of Zoning for agriculture because of
the business for farming and poultry.
LM – At this point. Do you have any permitting that you been authorize for the property, vehicles, business,
anything about nature from any Department in the City
TS – No, we were not aware that we would need to get it. We were starting this process.
LM - You said you've been doing it for about a year
TS - Mark Sullivan had stopped by the house and said that our neighbor gave a complaint about the chickens, and
that's when brought it to my attention for the first time, and that's when we had to figure everything out
LM – I'm trying to understand the process.
MM - No other questions other than my original question: Is the permit required to operate the logging business on
the premise?
TS - I have no idea myself
LM - I said I would think so. Are those vehicles on the property? Are those diesel vehicles?
TS - Yes
LM – How many vehicles on the property in total?
TS – Seven
LM – Could you identify what tons are they, and are you utilizing all of these?
TS - Only some of them. The rest will just be parked at less they're being used for tree work.
LM – So, there are in operation.
TS - Yes
LM - Any of them have any leaks?
TS - No that I'm aware of. They're all maintained and taking care of. My husband's very particular about those
things because this is our source of income.
LM - I do have a comment from the DPW, and I like to read aloud to you:
Lot appears to be used to store vehicles and equipment for tree service.
It is unclear whether this qualifies as "agricultural" with resource areas nearby.
Vehicle/equipment leaks are a concern.
Are there any plans to pave the site?
TS - After speaking with the conservation committee, we determined that it would not be wise to pave for this site
because of its area. We probably wouldn't be able to afford the paving, and then we also don't have a building yet.
So, we would need a building before anything else.
Mary Heline: So, again, the whole vehicle storage use, if this agricultural use was permitted under residential use
currently. I would classify their company as an earth removal or timber harvesting, which is not allowed under
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current residential status. They also have a lumber on the property, which is also not allowed. Earth removal or
timber harvesting business would be under special permitting. It would have to go before the Planning Board to
grant that permit, looking directly at the City zoning ordinance here. And then the lumber itself is under a restricted
status as far as residential goes. So, again as neighbor wise goes, if they are granted this agricultural status, how
many vehicles can they park, how close to my home can they park them. Their staff currently shows up in the
morning and quite frankly not a huge concern, but where is the line drawn and if this is accepted. Then there's very
little recourse, so that's sort of where I said can we bring them into compliance before we go ahead and grant
Special Permits.
LM - I think there's a lot of need to unfold here, and I believe Mark Barbadoro, Building Commissioner, needs to
recommend then where they need to go. It could be different departments, and perhaps you need to go to planning
and conservation. I think you need to go to conservation for this particular reason.
CT - Based on the information that's been submitted, I would be comfortable after some more information reports
considering the chicken use, but I am concerned that any other use that's alleged to be agricultural, particularly the
storage of the vehicles, really doesn't fall under the agricultural use, because the activities are not being conducted
on the agricultural property. I think that is probably a contractor's yard, so that I would like some clarification from
the building Department on that point. I would also like clarification from the Conservation Commission on
whether they are currently in compliance and whether anything proposed here would put them out of compliance.
There is no drawing indicating where on the property the chicken coop would be located. I know I did go and see,
so I can see where it is now or how far that contractor at the parking area would extend, and where that is relative
to wetlands, because whether that's a seasonal River or not. Right now, it's pretty big, so it's not an insignificant
feature of the property. I want to make sure that the activities they are looking at will not put them in violation. So,
I would like to see a drawing locating these features, limiting the number of chickens that they have if they're
going to be so close to the abutter house. It's a 2.6-acre parcel, and it's a large parcel. There's probably room for a
larger amount of chickens a little bit farther away, but so close to the residential area, I would prefer to see it
limited. It is very absolutely historical farmland on How-farm, as long as those concerns are taken care of. It's not
the agricultural use that I have so much of an issue with. It's the storage of all of those vehicles on-site. As I said, I
believe it is more contractor's yard and will have more of an impact on noise and issues with the vehicles as far as
environmental concerns go. I would want to continue to have more information.
MM - Christine summarized that quite well. I think everything is proper before we move ahead with looking at the
Special Permit. I'm I don't have any concerns with the proposal before us, other than some minor conditions that
Christine had mentioned as well.
BG - Everything has already been said
GB - I admit to being a little confused about what we're voting on tonight, but this appeared to be a nuisance of
chickens initially, and the butter brought up the other issues here. We are conditioned at the Roosters' collared time
being until we get all the additional information that Christine Michael had mentioned.
JB - I think everything that needs to be said, it been said. I don't know whether we're going to vote on this tonight
or give it a continuance to get the proper paperwork that we need for the trucks, but I'm okay with the chickens.
LM - Christine did quite nicely wrapped it up for us. I think our secretary needs to connect with the Building
Commissioner and find out exactly the status of vehicles, and whether or not those are agricultural, or if it's a
contractor's yard. Also, get the status on the entire property, and get a good look at it, and then; find out from
Commissioner Barbadoro if they need to go to the planning board. We do want to know the status of conservation
and then have the petitioner to come back here. So, we have a little more clarity on what we are voting on. So, I
would like to give the petitioner Perhaps a couple of months. In the meantime, I agree with Greg. And perhaps all
16
of us don't want things to be operated as a nuisance in the meantime. So, having the collars on the Roosters is
important, and I think at this point. We should look for an extension for at least a month, perhaps until June.
MM - I think we're booked next month, and we have to kick It out, and Greg brought up a great point if the
Roosters have their collars on. Them that'll give us some time to kind of sort through things, they can continue to
have their chickens in their Roosters on-site, and it will be a good time test to see how things go.
CT - Motion on ZBA-2021-05 under §181.313B6 to Continue the petition to June 8, 2021. Petitioner to retain the
collars on the Roosters in the meantime
BG – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Vote 5–0 to Continue to June 8, 2021, with the petition
ZBA-2021-06 Greg Gitto 211 THERESA ST 8:05PM
Special Permit under §181.355 to increase the living space footprint and to expand existing car garage leaving 26’ to the front
yard, 12’ side yard, and 13’ to the rear property yard located in the Residential A-2 District Map 126 Block 60 Lot 0
The virtual presentation was given by Greg Gitto (owner) and Jamie Rheault from Whitman and Bingham, stating that he
repurchased the property in December 2020 to be used as his primary residence. It is a second-generation home that was built
in 1953. The previous owner passed away last summer, and it has never been updated. Basically, everything is original from
1953, electrical, plumbing, and everything, it 1260 SQF. I proposed to make 2000 SF house, converted two-bedrooms, one-
bath, to a three-bedroom, two-bath. On the property right side, I want to expand the garage from one to two store garage.
Basically, on the right side of the House, in the garage, and behind it, we are putting two bedrooms on the golf course side.
We want to try to keep it in the spirit of the neighborhood as a one-story ranch. The other option would be to go up to two
floors, but we couldn't find a look by expanding over the garage; it doesn't look consistent with the neighborhood. I don't
want to 2nd floor in the House, I think to be consistent with the neighborhood make it a nice one story 2000 square foot
house it what we want to do.
JR – On the plans submitted to ZBA dated February 23, 2021, you can see two additions to the property. If you are in
Theresa Street looking at the House, you would see a proposed addition on the front, right, and rear. There is a four-foot
bump-out to the front yard, a ten-foot bump-out to the right side, and a two-foot bump-out to the rear yard. The existing
House is 28-feet to Teresa Street, and we're going to be proposing a setback for 26-feet. The minimum front yard setback is
30-feet, but we do know it's pre-existing non-conforming. The right-side yard setback is 12-feet and 13-feet setback to the
rear yard.
JR - Interestingly enough, the rear yard minimum is 35-feet, the second edition is back left side, it is an 8.4 by .6 addition. 17
feet from a side yard 15 feet from the rear yard. Craig is correct in that he wants to expand his ranch. He wants to customize
it and bring it up to date in 2021. It was built in 1953, and if anybody knows the location of Oak Hill Country Club, if you
know the 15th hole, that's exactly where the House is located opposite the green
LM - Does the golf course doesn't have any problems with it?
JR – I spoke to Stephen Decarolis, the Oak Hill president, and he was going to reach out to one of the Board Members. I don't
know who
JB – Stephen called me this morning, and we discuss that Oak Hill Country Club has no oppositions on the encroach of the
back yard of the property
LM – How are the rest of the House on that side toward the Golf Club? And the front side toward the road?
JB – The House on Theresa Street is very similar to this property. All these lots are small. I think the lot size for this lot is
8487 square feet and a lot of the existing lots of the same size. A lot of ranches, and I do not believe any of the houses meet
any of the setbacks whatsoever with respect to the rear yard at all.
JB - When I was there today, if you looked up the rear property line, two houses up from where this House is, there's a
swimming pool that its way into the Oak Hill Country Club property. So, the 4500 lots are a little tiny.
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LM – Is anyone here in the audience seeking any information on this petition? None
LM – Is anyone here in the audience in favor of this petition? None
LM – Is anyone here in the audience in opposition to this petition? None
MM - I visited the property today and walked around it. In my opinion, the requests for changes and setbacks were extremely
minimal visually as I drove and walked up and down the street. The setback seemed to vary quite a bit from House to House,
even within the directive abutters, but there's obviously no opposition; it sounds like the applicant will make a tremendous
investment in this property. It's a great location; it does abut the golf course, so there's no impact to the rear. The impact to
the front is approximately 2-feet. To the right side, approximately three feet below the minimum setback requirements. And
again, the rear is only changing from 15 to 13. It did appear the House to the left, if you're facing a home from the road, had
even a lesser setback. So, I think this is a good project.
GB – I have no questions
CT - I notice many trees marked for cutting, along the rear line and some along the sideline. Are any of those going to be
replaced?
GG - Mostly, trees were cut down; they were on the line on the club's property. They were infested with Carpenter ants and
leaning toward the House, so they were dangerous to the House. The club has plans to cut down more trees to give ventilation
to the putting green, so there are no plans to replant trees there. That would go against what the club wants to achieve to
provide more ventilation in that area because it's kind of down in the hole. They've had trouble with that the putting surface
because of a lack of ventilation.
CT - I think if you had taken it back two feet and two feet, and three feet. You wouldn't need a special permit, but I assume
that because the lot's tight and you need to expand the property, those are two and three important feet project.
GG - That would be correct
CT - I think what you're proposing is meant for it, with the rest of the neighborhood. Particularly because you're not going up
another story on the House, across the street from you is up another story. It does stick out, but other houses in the
neighborhood have two cars garage; it is either attached or like your neighbor has a detached garage. So, there's certainly the
expansion to that use on the property. You don't really have a curbing, so I think you might need to expand the width of the
driveway. Still, I don't think you need anything particular for that. Nothing is going to interfere with any of the ongoing
services the storm drains the electrical wire.
GG - We have to pull out every single wire on the property; every photo wire must be replaced. I'm moving the service to the
other corner of the House and going underground to the telephone. This will be safer; it's about $1500 more expensive, but
it's a lot safer, and I'm going to upgrade to a 200 amp panel from the existing 100 amp.
CT - Get better service in case of a storm too.
BG - Looks pretty straightforward to me, looking at the plot plans.
JB - I was there today, and I talked to the people next door. They told me that they had no problem with the encroachment on
their side either. He just said he discussed it with the man on the right-hand side, who has a jungle in his backyard, and he
said that this owner said that he didn't care. So, Greg is good to go with the setbacks, and everything we have to do is grant
him that permit.
LM - With respect to the exterior that is going to betide in, is it going to be new siding, with the facade beyond the same?
GG - I think it's going to be entirely replaced. We may change the front of the House to some modern material, either siding
or some type of shingles front probably. It will be as a siding type material and then go with the lesser expensive one around
the back of the House, also probably vinyl which is pretty similar to the neighborhood and is probably white, which is the
color of the House currently.
LM – It will be tiled together looking new
GG - We're compelled to replace all the siding because we're going to replace the front windows, and we may be changing
their shape. So, there's going to be significant construction on the House, and it's going to require us to reside the whole
thing, and it'll be done at once
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LM - When do you think the project will begin?
GG - Two months ago
LM – So, how long do you think the project is going to take
GG - Well, it depends on how fast we can get a building permit. As soon as we can obtain a building permit, we will start,
and we expect it to take probably three to four months.
LM - All of the materials, which will be a lot of dismantling of the property. Will we be getting dumpsters to keep the debris
and everything?
GG - We will probably have two dumpsters on the property at all times until we get that the demolition is done. At the
beginning of the project, we will probably have two dumpsters. Because the crew that we're going to get is going too fast, and
it just we're going to have two dumpsters to remove everything.
LM - I feel it's in keeping with the neighborhood. I don't see anybody here in opposition, as always is a good thing, and then I
think this would be a good asset for the neighborhood.
LM – There's was a comment from DPW engineering saying the changes to the driveway will require a Permit from the
DPW
MM – Petition meets the criteria; looking at the shape of the land and the lot sizes is fairly small to make the project work.
It's going to require a slight increase in the footprint of the existing structure. I don't think that the proposed changes are
going to be a detriment to the public good or derivate from the intent of the chapter.
CT - I'm in favor of the project. I do not think it would be the extension would be substantially more detrimental than the
existing encroachment. It's minimal, and I think the projects keep with the neighborhood and benefit the neighborhood.
I'm in favor of the project.
BG - I'm in favor of the project.
JB - I'm in favor
LM – I am also in favor.
MM - Motion on ZBA-2021-06 under §181.355 to Approve the Special Permit as the plan was submitted dated February
23, 2021. As requested setback
JB – Motion Seconded
Roll Call Voted 5–0 to Approved the Special Permit as was requested.
5. MISCELLANEOUS
6. ADJOURNMENT
19
Agenda
ZONING Board of APPEALS Mar 29 2021 9:04 am
166 Boulder Drive
Fitchburg, MA 01420
NOTE: This will be a virtual meeting. Link to the meeting:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1251732827540877327 +1(415)655-0060
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO OBSERVE THE MEETING please register prior to
the meeting using this link. PERSONS THAT WISH TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE
EMAIL mmata@fitchburgma.gov
MEETING AGENDA – April 13, 2021
MEETING TIME: 6:00PM
1. Call to Order PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. Communications ATTENDANCE:
3. Hearings
CASE No. APPLICANT PROPERTY TIME
ZBA-2020-05 Dennis Bradley 1151 MAIN ST 6:00PM
Review of the Special Permit under §181.313 to stablish a car detailing business located in the Central Business District Map
17 Block 64 Lot 0
ZBA-2019-13 Ruth Jeanete Guzman 324 LUNENBURGST 6:15PM
Review of Special Permit under §181.3561to reinstate a vacant/abandoned building as a 3-family dwelling located in a Central
Business District at 36/15/0
ZBA-2020-01 Gapco, LLC 54 LUNENBURG ST 6:35PM
Paul Tocci
Review of a Special Permit under §181.355 to reinstate a vacant/abandoned building as a two-family dwelling located in the
Residential C District Map 45 Block 50 Lot 0
ZBA-2021-03 Maikira Padilla 218 ROLLSTONE ST 6:50PM
Continuance:
Special Permit under §181.782 to operate a Home Occupation business as a Hair Artist services allowing client trips to the
occupation site in the Residential C District Map 53 Block 37 Lot 0
ZBA-2020-25 Brian LeClair 0 FISHER RD 7:05PM
Continuance:
Remand by order of the Land Court to consider anew an application for a Variance under §181.961 to construct a single-family
dwelling with less than the lot width required by section §181.414 located in the Residential B District Map S11 Block 4 Lot
A , with the issues for the Board’s consideration on remand to include at least: (i) whether, absent a variance, the Plaintiff will
suffer a “substantial hardship, financial or otherwise” and whether said hardship is sufficient justification for the grant of a
variance or was self-imposed; and (ii) whether the grant of a variance is otherwise “without substantial detriment to the public
good and without nullifying or substantially derogating from the intent or purpose of” the Zoning Ordinance
ZBA-2021-04 Daniel Brisebois 48 BERNARD DR 7:25PM
Special Permit under §181.782 to park a 7 X 14 enclosed trailer at the primary single-family dwelling residence for a Mobil
Auto Detailing Business use located in the Residential A-1 District Map 136 Block 8 Lot 0
ZBA-2021-05 Talitha Slocum 170 ARN-HOW FARM RD 7:45PM
Special Permit under §181.313B6 to use of land for the primary purpose of agriculture less than five acres in area on an existing
single-family dwelling located in the Rural Residential District Map 323 Block 3 Lot 0
ZBA-2021-06 Greg Gitto 211 THERESA ST 8:05PM
Special Permit under §181.355 to increase the living space footprint and to expand existing car garage leaving 26’ to the front
yard, 12’ side yard, and 13’ to the rear property yard located in the Residential A-2 District Map 126 Block 60 Lot 0
4. MISCELLANEOUS
5. ADJOURNMENT
2
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