Mansfield Zoning Board Votes to Demolish Garage

The Mansfield Zoning Board voted to demolish the 2,100 square-foot garage behind the property at 190 Mill St. The board agreed that the building violated the zoning regulations for a residential zone because it was being used for commercial purposes: mainly welding, landscaping and auto services.

The owners of the property, Jeff and Sharon Watterson, have 20 days to appeal the decision. The building was constructed in 2006 under a permit for storage use only, but was used as a machine shop. Next-door neighbors Jawdat and Leota Mansour filed the original complaint in January of this year.

The Mansours presented evidence in a previous hearing that confirmed the garage was being used for commercial purposes, and Mansfield Town Building Inspector Nick Riccio also confirmed the claim.

Board Member Kevin Mackie said that the building was intended from the start of it's construction to be a commercial building.

"It was claimed that the structure was build to store old machine shop tools," Mackie said. "I find it hard to believe that simple storage of these items necessitate the expense of such a large structure, and it seems that the only reason for such a structure is to operate a machine shop. It was only allowed to go in on false pretenses; it was intended to be commercial from day one and it shouldn't have been put up, period."

Board Chair Jack Vultaggio, who also had the only opposing vote to the measure to demolish the building, said he felt it was unfair to the property owners, because the measure would not allow the Wattersons to use the building for legal purposes at all. The measure to demolish the building states a reason for the demolition to be that the building cannot be used for any legal purpose within the residential zone.

"I am not sure I'm in agreement that it can't [be used legally]," Vultaggio said. "I think we need to be cery careful in telling people what they can and can't do with their property when it is unclear as to whether this is a personal use or not."