[Massplanners] FW: Lakeside redevelopment

[Duperault, Joy (DCR)]

Hi! Don’t forget that those renovations are often ‘substantial improvements,’ which means that they’ll have to be elevated even higher then the existing foundations  😊 Some communities give a height variance for flood mitigation work like that.

Joy Duperault, CFM
State NFIP Coordinator/Director, Flood Hazard Management Program
MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
617-626-1406 or joy.duperault at mass.gov
https://www.mass.gov/guides/floodplain-management

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of ruralplanningassociates--- via MassPlanners
Sent: Wednesday, January 5, 2022 11:47 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] Lakeside redevelopment

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Dear Planners:

No doubt many of your towns have lakeside cottages on very small nonconforming lots that date back to WWII or earlier.  There are often several layers of cottages starting at the shore and going back a number of tiers.  We have been experiencing the redevelopment of many cottages, often at the shore, often with proposals to go from one story to two.  This can block the views from across the street and several tiers back.  It also can have the effect of walling off the lake from any but those right at the shore.

These are handled by our ZBA through a special permit process which is often contentious.  I’d be interested in any approaches your town takes to balancing the desires of all the parties in these types of cases.  Citations to the nonconforming sections of your bylaws are welcome.

Thank you,

Jeff Lacy
Rural Planning Associates
(413) 230-9693


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