Zoning Amendment Inspired by Plainville Ave. Garage Passes

The Town Plan and Zoning Commission has unanimously approved a new amendment governing the construction of accessory structures (like garages) and additions on homes in established neighborhoods.  

The commission voted on the amendment at its April 9 meeting, following a public hearing, at which no one spoke.  

The commission took up the amendment, inspired by a large, red garage built last year on the top of Plainville Avenue and the public outcry that followed its completion.  

The commission had raised the amendment the year before to address the issue of “McMansions” being built in some established residential neighborhoods but at the time, residents opposed the additional regulation.  

When the garage on Plainville Avenue was built, many asked why the Town Plan and Zoning Commission allowed it, but since the structure was within the existing regulations, it did not require the commission’s review – simply a building permit.  

The new regulation, instead of prohibiting any particular structure or addition, gives the commission more oversight so that it can screen projects, like the Plainville Avenue garage, that might not be fitting within an existing neighborhood.  

The purpose for the amendment says “Left uncontrolled, the development of larger out of scale houses and accessory buildings in these areas will seriously affect or destroy the sense of place of an established neighborhood… This regulation seeks to control the size, spacing and height of principle and accessory structures in residential zones within existing zoning building lines so as to preserve some level of uniformity and architectural compatibility.”

In addition to the regulation, the commission also approved an amendment that specifies that an attached building must be attached by “a solid covered passageway no less than three feet in width having a roof and at least one wall, a floor and doors on both ends…”     

That, too, refers to the Plainville Avenue garage, which was attached to the house with just a few shingled boards.  

“The metal building on Plainville Avenue is an example of what happens when there is no review by TPZ and a homeowner expands to the maximum allowed under the existing rule,” said Zoning Chairman Phil Dunn. “Imagine the metal building on Plainville Ave with siding matching the house and windows. Imagine some landscaping such as shrubs and trees to break up the mass of the structure. That is what we hope to achieve with this amendment.”  

He reiterated that the new regulation does not prevent a homeowner from expanding his home, rather that it triggers a review by the zoning commission and allows the commission and the public to comment and suggest changes.  

Copies of the regulation are available at Town Hall.