The owners of a ranch-style house on the corner of Hawthorne Road and Meadow Lane are seeking permission to create a two-story home on the lot that includes a front porch.
Because it sits on a corner, the single-story home at 36 Hawthorne Road has two front yards, whose required setbacks are larger than side and rear yards in the one-third acre zone (and most others).
According to a statement of hardship filed with the town planner by James Schettino of New Canaan-based James Schettino Architects, the proposed two-story home is to be contained in the current building footprint and the project would see an enclosure of the existing covered porch added, as well as covered front entry, mudroom and side porches.
The structure predates the current zoning regulations as well as corner lot setback requirements, Schettino noted in the statement.
“We believe the proposed additions will fit within the context of the neighborhood and not adversely affect the character of nearby properties,” he said.
Two variances are required from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Under the New Canaan Zoning Regulations, a nonconforming structure in the one-third-acre residential zone requires a variance in order to be enlarged if the proposed change doesn’t conform with the regulations (page 158). Also under the Zoning Regulations, the one-third acre zone has a front-yard setback of 35 feet (page 59). The 1949-built dwelling already encroaches 12 feet into the Meadow Lane-facing setback, and the project would see it encroach an additional five feet, according to the application.
The property was purchased for $650,000 last month, tax records show. The existing house includes 1,634 square feet of living space. It wasn’t clear from the application how large the taller house would be.
The ZBA is scheduled to take up the application at its meeting 7 p.m. Monday in Town Hall.
It sure will be an improvement compared to what is there now! Looks very nice.
I think the new home as proposed is way too close to Meadow Lane. It will give the street a “closed in” look as the new structure will be very tall and it will loom over the Lane. We would all love to be able to build to the edges of our property line but fortunately the zoning regulations don’t allow that. I don’t see how this is a hardship for the new owner – the zoning was fully disclosed when the property was purchased. However, it will be a hardship for nearby property owners if approved and I would urge the owner/developer to submit a new plan that conforms to the current zoning laws.