Zoning Board Approves Garage Variance, Car Wash Sign
Somerset's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a lot-coverage variance for a rebuilt garage and a new car wash sign while delaying a contested accessory dwelling unit for lack of a surveyor's plan.
Zoning Board · Meeting of May 28, 2026
Somerset's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a lot-coverage variance for a rebuilt garage and a new car wash sign while delaying a contested accessory dwelling unit for lack of a surveyor's plan. Attorney Thomas Killoran and architect Joanne Bentley won a 3-0 vote for applicant Stephen Rivard to demolish and enlarge a 1964 garage on New Hill Avenue, with the board granting a lot-coverage variance from 35 percent to 41.38 percent. Members continued a Harrison Avenue ADU variance sought by Matthew Voss to July 23 after questioning a draftsperson-prepared plan; neighbor Matthew Oliveira had written in opposition, citing parking congestion.
The board also approved, 3-0, a new static-message LED sign for the former Prestige Car Wash on County Street, conditioned on compliance with bylaw lettering limits. Abutter Celia Martins told the board, "A buffer zone cannot be ripped apart with backhoes," describing destroyed screening trees near the car wash. Three home-occupation permits were approved unanimously, and a Taco Bell drive-through petition on GAR Highway was continued to June 25.
In the full story:
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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of May 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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