Neighbor's Concern Doesn't Stop Driveway Variance

Members of the Westwood Zoning Board unanimously approved a variance Monday night allowing a homeowner to widen a driveway. A neighbor was concerned about a tall spruce tree on the property that could be damaged and fall and also questioned the need for the increased size of the driveway, but board members said they believed the application was in order and granted the request.

James Street resident Scott Berkoben introduced architect Andrew Fethes as an expert who explained the application. He said the Berkobens planned to expand their driveway, allowing enough room for two cars to park side by side. The reason they need a variance to do that, according to Chairman William Martin, is because the property has just a one-car garage. If there was a two-car garage on the site, no variance would be necessary.

Neighbor Charles Nussman said he was worried about the spruce tree on the property, saying if the roots were damaged during the driveway expansion, the tree could fall on his home.

While Martin said he understood the concern, he explained that the tree is not a zoning issue, which is what the board must decide. He did ask Fethes to make every effort to minimize disturbance to tree roots and asked the applicant to submit a letter outlining what would be done.

Nussman also said he didn't understand the need for a two-car driveway since most in the area were able to manage with one-car driveways and garages.

"What does it do to the character of neighborhood?" Nussman asked.

Fethes said the application made sense and "the benefits outweigh the deficits." He explained that because of the method of construction, the applicants would be only slightly increasing the amount of impervious coverage, or paved area, on the lot. Instead of the current 21.1 percent impervious coverage, there would be 22.1 percent. The maximum allowed on a lot is 40 percent.

Fethes also said other homes in the area have a one-car garage with a two-car driveway so it wouldn't be out of character with the neighborhood. He added that the expansion would bring the home in line with a zoning ordinance requiring four-bedroom homes to have 2.5 parking spaces. That ordinance was approved in 1994, after the house was built.

All Zoning Board members who were present voted to approve the application. Guy Hartman and Eric Oakes were absent from the meeting.

The next Westwood Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for July 11.