HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - 30 FAULKNER ROAD 6/14/2017 Zoning Board ofAppeals
Town ofNorth Andover
12OMain St, North Andover,Q2845
ToMembers ofthe Zoning Board ofAppeals:
This letter is in response to the request for variance filed by Vincent Grasso Jr.,30 Faulkner Road, in
order to construct an addition to his home. We, Bryce and Sheila Hoffman,are the owners of 24
Faulkner Road and Mr.Grasso's immediate neighbors.As such,we will be the property owners most
directly affected bythis variance, |fitiagranted.
A trip out of the country prevents us from participating in person at this public hearing. Please accept
this letter as a statement of our concerns.We first wish to state that we have viewed Mr. Grasso as a
good,fair and neighborly neighbor, We do not believe he has any intention of causing distress. We
generally support his desire toimprove his home, both cosmetically and for his own enjoyment.
However,the specific variance Mr.Grasso requests would result in a structure that is significantly taller
and closer to our house than the one now in place.The variance he requests is substantial—a greater
than 50 percent reduction in the minimum side setback.This causes us significant concerns,which we
would ask the Zoning Board of Appeals to weigh carefully in its deliberations:
p Loss ufprivacy. |fMr. Grossu'saddition envisions awindow onthe second floor(we have not
seen o detailed enough plan to discern his exact intention), it could easily fall on a direct sight
line into our master bedroom. In effect,we would be forced to block or obscure our own
window in order to preserve our present level of privacy.This would be a direct, negative impact
onthe enjoyment anduseofourhorne.
• Loss of natural light.A two-story structure on the proposed location—7.8 feet closer to our lot
line than town bylaws permit-would substantially diminish the amount of natural sunlight that
reaches our first and second floor windows in the morning hours. In the winter months, the
increase in shadows on our roofline will increase its susceptibility to ice dam formation.
w Drainage issues.An increase in the roofed and paved areas of Mr. Grasso's lot(in addition to
potential changes to the topography of his lot caused by the construction process),will create
changes to drainage and increase runoff.We request that Mr.Grasso present detailed plans to
predict and mitigate adverse effects this may cause toour property.
• Loss of value.To the extent that any of the above concerns impact the market value of our own
home when vve choose to sell it,we will have suffered a financial loss as a result of this variance.
It is our hope that the Zoning Board of Appeals and our neighbor, Mr. Grasso,will act to mitigate or
eliminate these honestly stated concerns.Thank you.
With kind regards,
Bryce and Sheila Hoffman