Adaptive Reuse

Two of the projects reviewed at the March 26 2024 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting are great examples of adaptive reuse of current buildings/structures -- where the changes are bringing positive benefit for both the property owners and the community.

A Public Hearing was held for a property on Liberty Street in Chelsea where the property owners, currently occupying a former church building are adding an addition which required a variance to the set back requirements. Since most of the buildings on the street are currently non-conforming with the current set-back requirements - this appeared to be straight forward and was approved by the board. The addition will feature architectural elements that are found in the current - including a hip roof, gothic arches and a cupola. It is exciting to see such innovation and care.

Discussions for 3 new projects were held - All scheduled for site visits by the board on April 6 with public hearings scheduled for April 9.

On Edgehill Drive, the property owners want to replace a crumbling deck with one that is safer - and will require a setback variance.

Property Owners on Dose Road would like to install a deck around an above ground pool to make it safer for children. Because of the slope on the property and the shape of the lot, a set-back variance is required.

DC Sports at 1639 Route 9 is in the process of planning for reuse of old bumper pool into a ropes course, an update that is sure to generate excitement and a new destination for area residents and visitors to enjoy. The owner has been before the planning board on numerous occasions, but at the point of the public hearing at the planning board, it was decided that a set-back variance was needed...despite the fact that they will be using the existing footprint on the property. A side discussion about whether there was a setback permit provided when the bumper pool was originally installed was dismissed with the comment "the records aren't available, they may be in storage". Since the nearby buildings are actually closer to the road than the proposed ropes course, this should be an easy decision -- but the zoning board members asked a lot of questions about the height of the poles (30 feet), requested a "balloon test" (to show what 30 feet will look like, asked questions about safety etc... which the business owner and architect patiently answered - as they also did with the planning board.