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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5205 Exhibit 04 Decision 1321 10.16.1975EXHIBIT 4 TOWN OF YARMOUTH BOARD OF APPEALS Filed with Town Clerk: Hearing Date:5/15/75 Petitioner: Oak Harbor Associates 477 Main St. Yarmouthport, Mass. RECORD AND DECISION The petitioner has requested from this Board, a, rider Sec. 18.07 of the zoning by-law for the Town of Yarmouth, which section provides for open space village developments. The Petitioner's parcel of land north of Route 6A, in the vicinity of and west of Manchester Rd., and Bray Farm Rd., consists of approximately 194 acres. Petitioner requests the Special Permit under Sec. 18.07 residential buildings each containing no more than 24 dwelling units and together containing no more than 750 dwelling units, 83 garage -storage sheds, a community center complex, a gate house, a garden club building, a sewage treatment plant and facility, maintenance buildings and facilities, and related accessory features and facilities for the use and enjoyment of residents of the development, such as tenn- courts, a golf course, swimming pools, gardens, trails and outdoor cooking areas. The petitioner also requests approval from this Board for construction of the project in successive stages with building permits issuing from time to time for each successive stage. The petitioner also filed with its Special Permit request, a petition for a series of variances from Sec. 18.07 of the zoning by-law and from other sections o- the by-law. Some of the variances are requests for accessory structures and uses I specifically provided for under Sec. 18.07. All of the building structures and facilities listed above, except for the residential buildings themselves, fall wit) this category and are included in the variance petition. Lot 11, which is the site of an existing Federal Aviation Administration Conti Facility, may or may not be utilized for housi-ng purposes. Petitioner states the dwelling units depicted on the overall Development Plan on Lot 11 will only be possible if the F.A.A. terminates the control facility and vacates the premises; should this occur, the Developer seeks to construct up to 32 dwelling units on Lot but in this event, the number of units on one or more of the lots listed would be reduced by an equivalent number, so that the overall number of dwelling units in the development will in no case exceed 750. For purposes of our decision on the Petitioner's Special Permit request, we treat these accessory structures and facilities as part of the project as if pro- vided for in Sec. 18.07 inasmuch as they are important and integral parts of the development proposal. As a consequence, we apply the criteria, tests and requirements of Sec. 18.07 against the proposed development project as a whole, including these accessory structures and facilities. It is to be noted, however, that the special permit granted by us in this case may not by itself authorize the construction of such accessory buildings or facilities; to the extent these are not provided for under Sec. 18.07, the construction requires variance authorization. -1- } We note further that except in the case of the Sewage Treatment Plant and facilities, without which the project could not advance beyond initial stages, our conclusions as respects compliance with these criteria, tests and require- ments do not depend on any accessories being built so that our decision in this cas. would be unaffected by subsequent denial by us of any one or more accessory varianc, or by court determination of the invalidity of any one or more. Under Sec. 18.07, Par. 3C9 the Board of Appeals was to receive with the application, an overall development plan indicating boundaries of the site, pro- posed land and building uses, location of common open space and other features. Un Par. 3D, the application also was to include a statement of each land owners intere of the land to be developed, a statement of the form of organization proposed to ow and maintain the common open space, and a statement of the substance of covenants and grants of easements to be imposed upon the use of land and the structures. A development schedule is also called for. The Board believes these requirements have been met, as the petitioner's overall development plan contains on its face more of the information required under Sec. 18.07, 3C; the balance is provided in the notes attached to the plan. T statements required under Par. 3D are attached to the petition. The petition therefore complies with the by-law. Members of Board of Appeals present: Thomas N. George, Robert Sherman, David Oman, Philip Dempsey, Herbert Renkainen. It appearing that notice of said hearing has been given by sending notice then of the the petitioner and all those owners of property deemed by the Board to be affected thereby, and that public notice of such hearing having been given by publication in the Cape Cod Standard Times on 4/30 and 5/7/75, the hearing was opened and held on the date first above written. The following appeared in favor of the petition: Richard Anderson, Attorney Marion McKinnon by letter J. Robertson Robert Helwig by letter J. Karras E.B.Duar by letter Mr. Chandler Richard G. Allen by letter The following appeared in opposition. DuPont P.J.Rozelle by letter The petitioners parcel of 194 acres more or less lies North by Route 6A (a State Highway), East of the Bass River Rod and Gun Club and by the Town of Yarmout, South of a vacant tract of land and Bray Farm Road, an unimproved dirt road, and West of several subdivisions which have not been fully developed. The only structure on the petitioners parcel is a Federal Aviation Adminis- tration Flight Control facility situated in the southwest corner. This facility, we understand, exists under a short-term lease; we are unaware whether the F.A.A. -2- intends to renew the lease. We are familiar with the structures constituting the Flight Control facility. The parcel is bisected north and south by Hockanom Road which is inimproved and unpaved. We believe the traffic over Hockanom Road is slight. It provides alternate access from Route 6A to the Town's conservation land situated Northwest of the petitioners parcel; Bray Farm Road provides equal access to this land. The parcel is entirely within the RD-2 zoning district, and therefore subject to the provisions of Sec. 18.07 of the by-laws. At the hearing, the petitioner presented nine plans as follows: 1. Overall Development Plan (in color). 2. plan showing control lines and parking. 3. Plan showing Buffer zones. 4. Plan showing proximity of proposed residence buildings to existing single family dwellings. 5. Plan showing water system. 6. Utility plan. 7. Plan showing existing trees to be saved and open spaces. 8. Plan showing proximity of lucus to wetlands. g. Emergency access and circulation plan. In addition, there were reports by Childs, Bertman, Tseckares Associates, Inc., land planners; Dana F. Perkins and Sons, Inc., Environmental Engineers; Dr. John M. Teal, Ecologist and marine biologist, and Edward E. Kelley, registered land surveyor. The report by Childs, Bertman, Tseckares Associates describes the clustering g in termi or grouping of buildings in residential areas ation,� con#ormthe ety to existct of ingntopographl of preservation of existing and other advantages visual screenings, control of sight lines to provide scale, not herein enumerated. The report specifically compares the proposed open space development to conventional subdivision plans for this parcel. The report by Dana F. Perkins and Sons, Inc., the firm which prepared the drainage and utilities plans, was filed by Donald E. Martinage who was present at the meeting. The report covers the adequacy of public water supply, provisions in the plan for handling of surface water run off and the adequacy of the proposed sewage treatment system. Mr. Martinage, in answer to questions, described the plant as a secondary treatment system with polishing filters designed to produce an approved solid waste. —3- Dr. John M. Teal, an ecologist, set forth his conclusions with respect to the superiority of the proposed plan over a conventional one in respect to con- servation, protection of vegetation, and effects of this project on tidal marshes which would be subject to the water running off of this parcel. Dor Teal during questions stated that he was familiar with the end products from the proposed sewage treatment plan and that in his opinion, the effluent from the plant would have no effect on Chase Garden Creek, or on the research station situation on the Creek, or on any of the ponds surrounding the development. Edward E. Kelley's report attests to the number of square feet in the peti- tioners parcel. There was presented at the meeting the petitioners environmental impact report in draft form dealing with matters of traffic flow, congestion on Route 6A in Yarmouth, with the adequacy of the proposed sewage treatment plant and with other environmental considerations. The qualifications for Dr. Teal and the firm of Dana F. Perkins and Sons, Inc., are set forth in the enviornmental impact report; those for the firm of Childs, Bertman Tseckares and Associates, Inc., were separately presented. We are familiar with the qualifications of Edward E. Kelley, a local registered land surveyor. In our judgement, all of these firms and persons named above are well qualifiec within their fields of expertise and we accept their reports, opinions and con- clusions as the equivalent of expert testimony. At the hearing, there was a slide presentation (the slides for which were left with us as part of the documentation in this case), including: 1. Chart showing typical advancement of construction in successive stages with matching dedication of open space areas to comply with Sec. 1$.07, 4F. 2. Plans showing lot and road layout for typical single family and duplex subdivisions. 3. Chart comparing number of feet of subdivision streets required for the proposed Open Space Village Development and the typical single family and duplex subdivisions shown on the plans referred to above. 4. Plan showing a typical residential cluster in larger scale than on the Overall Development Plan. The petitioner filed with us at the hearing, copies of of Oak Harbour Circle as prepared for and presented to the in connection with the subdivision of the locus. Plans and Profiles Yarmouth Planning Board -4- •Finally, the petitioner submitted with the reaortswa statement le and on f the likely n space effect of the proposed golf course on the project areas in particular. COMPLIANCE WITH CRITERIA OF PARAGRAPH -F OF SECTION iB.O plan highlighting The petitioners overa hat will benavailableototresidentsher with tof the OakHarbour the trees and open spaces parcel will be set aside in blocks Development show at least e %w of the and bicycle trails, nature paths, ball fields large enough to accommodate walking, se. Furthermore, and even a golf courthe lots which the petitioner proposes to to commit from time to time to open space usedghrouehoutkthetentirerl94 so as acres make possible unbroken trails and paths running 9 specific ng We have reviewed the reports referred to efrom the and it �data rsubmitted that based on these reports and on our own observationsreservation of open space for con - proposed plan in superior in these respects (p servation and recreation) to a conventional one. lens and We have examined the c°Clear Weanotefor tbethe ratherparcel steepwell declinethe ofpthe land in profiles for Oak Harbour thted nature e plateau in the cente the northeast corner and vand from ely athe opinions fand econclusions set forth We conclude from then ace village plan for this tract in the foregoing reports that hetproposehan dd open aspace vtional single family sub - is superior and more appropriate division with respect to utilization of natural features of the land• act could We note that whereas a conventional subdivision scheme for this traced open require as much as calls running 6e165 feett of bofvision street. Wetso the observepthat thny e space village plan calls for only , proposed plan does not call for tstreet sloperincthesnortheastWays or dcorner; this ais a good across or down the relatively steep feature as opposed to a conventional subdivision. clustering rouping he In respect to utilities, water, sewer or electricfservicelinesa or of residential structures, no on extensions are required at all in mansp°°ter°and°more edevelopment; clustering efficientnetworkofline of buildings appears to make possible ah and pipes for essential services. together with the opinions as set Our observations and conclusions as above, ro aced plan forth in the reports abovece1 underlistedg lSec.ead u18.07s to tis superior he finding tintthese the prespects/to for development of the par (streets & util't any plan for single family homes. of this report with the requirements set fort We deal on the following pagesrequired categories in para. 40 of the open space village by -la a osalIn eihfthe satleastequivalent to a conve para. 4D, we find that the petitioners prop tional plan, if not superior. P plan it In addition, we find that the proposal is su erior to a conventional the following respects: -5- a. The proposed system of walking paths or trails over open space lots and ion lots also across some peopleftohtherusualdlayoutroftsidewalks,thatpwould befor movement of pro- vided in a standard subdivision. b. The proposed form of ownership of the lots to be dedicated from time to time as open space provides a flexible schemdGe, butlalsorfor;ntenance alteration of and orderly control of the use of open space, from time to time of the recreational uses of the open space to serve the changing recreational interests and needs of residents as time passes. c. Some of the recreational need of residents otherwise require a trip by automobile into by on --site facilities and in this respect, superior to a conventional one. PLIANCE WITH THE DENSITY REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRA of Oak Harbour that might town or further will be met the proposed development is 4 The report of Edward E. Kelley states that the subject parcel contains 8,436, 518 square feet of land. We have examined the plan indicating the portion of the parcel determined by th Conservation Commission for the Town of Yarmouth to be possibly subject to Wetlands regulations and we find that it is less than 10% of the whole tract. We find no other areas within the perimeter inouropnionwllbe othe Fiinsoverall usedevelopment primarplan servicir which is designated for use or whi residents of the development. We therefore find that the applicable land area under Par. 4,A,2 of Sec. 18.07 is the same as the total area of the pa Assuming that all of the dwelling units requested by the petitioner will be contained in multi -family dwellings (a condition of grant of this permit), and ss of since the total applicable land area is in excea. acgel'e of Sec. 181.at e 07 is incentive factor applicable to this project under Para. 4, , two. We have applied the above incentive factor and applicable land area to the formula set forth in para. 41A,2 for the RD--2 zoning district and we conclude that the petitioners calculations for the maximum number of dwelling units that could be constructed on the site is correct, this number being 844. The notes attached to the petitioners overall development plan state that particular locations of busing or arings own on rangementeoprlan are layout oftintended to fix buildings or structures; absolutely the eventual siting therefore, although our examination of this plan and also the plans submitted y the petitioner showing "buffer zones" (perimeter setbacks) and Control ]fines (internal setbacks) discloses nnnotnce met,nwewhich imposeany asfatconditionhe iofaourregu- lations set forth in para. 4,Care of this permit the condition vhsionsall ofupadrang�+,Csexceptutolthe}extent thaton the vthisus lots must comply with the pro Board now or later shall permit departure from such regulations by variance. -6- 1. PARKING, as required by Para. 4,D, of Sec. 18.07 s no Our examination of the overall development numberplan dwellingeunits7requestedhfor sufficient parking spaces for themaximum each residential lot are not ofr�heded°too°we small}or too nearinstances streetwhere orslotelinec are, according to the scale plan, However, the petitioner states in the notes attached to the plan that the areas depicted on the plan as parking spaces are not intended to fix the siting ofthis parking areas as ultimately constru�eveiotrrofore, we adequateonumbeors ofrparkinggrant ospaces . special permit on provision by the Pe of proper size and setback for the numbers of dwelling units to be constructed from time t3o time on each residential lot. 2. DISRUPTION OF ESTABLISHED NEIGH80RHOODS, as required by pars. 4,D of Sec. 18.07 Requirement #i2 specifies that there shall be mini thanmal disisruptifamilyon of dwelestabingsed neighborhoods, evidence by (there being) not at the time of application within 500 feet of any proposed multi —family (or attached single family) structure. e only 8 dwellings within this distance. To the Board's knowledge, there ar we find that under the test set forth for Since this number is less than 30, requirement 2, the proposed development will cause minimal disruption of the functioning of established neighborhoods. We note from the petitioners plan showing buffer zones that for the most parts the developer is providing a 70' buffer strip around the edge of the entire arel, 50' would meet the bb—law requirement; in our judgement even though in most places, hborhooc this extra —width separation strip will further protect the surrounding neig 3. SAFE ACCESS, as required by Para. 4,D of Sec. 18.07. This requirement is tested by determining whether access is from a major artei street, one of which is Route 6A, without use fminor sstreto ets exiensivelte for develop' and for single family houses and (providing)adequate vice equipment. Primary access to Oak Harbour will be over the frontage of Route 6A. ead Oak The overall development plan shows that sev toainspara. s2dabovenandttheecovena Harbour boundary. The 70' buffer zone referred the between developer and the Yarmouth PlpermitBoard t connection theheffectuthatisi of the parcel (on which this special p q barriers of bushes or trees will be planted at the ends of theseexisting turn aroare sufficient sure cient to that traffic will not pass beyond the unds, assure there will be no connections between roadways in Oak Harbour and abutting subdivisions. We find that all of the tests for satisfaction 0ak Harbour. requirement3 have been me, and therefore that there will be safe aecess -7- 4.' Apf.QUATE UTILITY SERVICE, as Required by Paragraph 4-D of Sec. 18:07 Subparagraph 4 specified that satisfaction of this requirement shall be evidence of availability of a public water supply, adequate drainage, and at the location of the sewage treatment system, soils having certain characteristics. These three criteria are specifically covered by the Petitioner's draft Environ- mental Impact Report. Beyond this, approval from the Mass. Dept. of Public Health will be required for the final sewage treatment plan, no more than one or possibly two residential clusters or phases could be constructed. We note too with respect to the adequacy of the petitioner's system for surface water drainage that extensive survey and engineering work was done in the course of preparation of the petitioner's plans and profiles for Oak Harbour Circle as submitted to the Planning Board. Based on all of the above, we conclude that the three criteria are satisfied and therefore that the petitioner's Open Space Village Development will provide adequate utility service. 5. AVOIDANCE OF ECOLOGICAL DISRUPTION, as Required by Paragraph 4-D of Sec. 18:07 A two-part test is specified for this requirement: whether any proposed building will be less than 250 feet from any pond over 5 acres, river, ocean, swamp or marsh and whether site design minimizes topographic change or removal of existing trees and vegetation. We have examined the two plans submitted by the petitioner showing proximity of the locus to wetlands areas (southwest corner only) and to nearby ponds and the salt creek. No buildings are proposed within 250 feet of the wetland areas, and no pond, river, ocean, swamp, marsh or salt creek is within 250 feet of the development parcel. We have kept in mind also the reports of Dr. Teal and Mr. Tseckares and based on the foregoing observations and conclusions, we find that the proposed open space development resonably avoids ecological disruption. 5. PRESERVATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES, as Required by Paragraph 4-D of Sec. 18:07 Three tests are set forth for this requirement: 1. Glare -free illumination of parking areas We establish as a condition of this Special Permit that all parking areas wherever located,be illuminated, such illumination to be glare -free. 2. Preservation of water views from public hi hwa s No water views are available from any public highways in the vicinity of Oak Harbour this test does not apply. 3. Effective use of topography, landscaping and building placement to maintain to the de nee feasible the character of the neighborhood r R_ The petitioner's topographic map clearly indicates that the lots selected for residential construction and for the community center are in the higher elevation, plateau area. The developer's plans indicate they have avoided any appearance of "bull- dozer"subdivisions; trees and vegetation have been retained to the extend possible; the petitioner's proposed clustering of buildings with belts of trees surrounding each cluster will give Oak Harbor an appearance in keeping with the neighboring subdivisions. There are no neighborhood characteristics to match along the north and west boundaries of the locus because these areas are all undeveloped and are still held as large tracts. We find therefore that the pefftioner's use of contours, in sitting its build - clusters and the retention (or provision) of belts of trees as a permanent landscap- ing feature will be entirely compatible with and should reinforce the visual characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods. For the foregoing reasons, we find that the Oak Harbour Development plans will be in keeping with and will preserve neighborhood amenities. 7. NO MULTI -FAMILY STRUCTURE TO CONTAIN MORE THAN 24 DWELLING UNITS, as required by Para- graph 4-D of Sec. 18:07 The petition so states, but we make compliance with this requirement a condition of our grant of this Special Permit in any event. 8. EMERGENCY ACCESS TO EACH BUILDING, as required by Paragraph 4-D of Sec. 18:07 The petitioner's emergency access plan shows that access will be made available to each multi -family seeT^'nolreasonThere pavementindication eventwhether longnot as thethese pathsapproaches are capable be paved ,but we of supporting fire and emergency service vehicles. However, because the sitting of buildings may change as the petitioner points out in the notes attached to the Overall Development Plan, we impose as a condition ncto our grant of this Special Permit, that emergency approaches capable of supporting 15 tons shall be provided to each multi -family dwelling as provided in this subparabraph and shall thereafter be kept free of such obstructions as could block the passage of these vehicles in any emergency situation. OPEN SPACE Paragraph 4-F of the Open Space Village By-law sets forth the requirements for and the restrictions to be imposed upon the open space areas which are in intregal part of this type of cluster development. We observe that there are five (5) basic parts to this paragraph and we will deal with each part. 1. Basic Re uirement for 0 en Space The first two and the last sentences of the By-law outline the amount and type of open space that must be provided ith development under Section 18:07 and limit the �,,,, 1 dines that may be con The main is stated that the applicable represented by requirement is contained in the second sentence of the By-law, wherein it common open space shall comprise not less than thirty (307.) per cent of land area shown on the development plan. We have added up the land area the lots on which the Petitioner indicates that dwellings or other struc- -9- tures may be placed; we find that the total is less than seventy (707.) per cent of the applicable land area as set forth in the land surveyor's report. We are satisfied that the remaining lots (some of which are shown as open lands on the overall development plan) are capable of meeting this thirty (30%) per cent test. We make no findings or decision as to the particular lots or the order in which particular lots may be selected and dedicated by the Petitioner as the required open space under paragraph 4-F of the By-law. The paragraph clearly limits the lots which may be used for this purpose to those on which (essentially) no construction is to take place. This requirement is one of many on -going provisions that will be applicableptvas the project as it progresses and with which the Developer will have to comply, excwe may grant exception thereto by variance. Section 18:07 calls for no specific find- ings or determinations by us on this matter and in our judgement none should be entered. The Petitioner specifically requests in this case our approval to build Oak Harbour in successive stages, drawing building pemits from time to time as -the project commences. In this connection, the Petitioner proposes, as stated in variance request #10, to dedi- cate prior to the commencement of each stage sufficient open space lots to cause at all times the completed sections of the project plus the phase or phases under way to comply with the 30% open space requirement of paragraph 4-F. The Town needs to be assured that this will take place automatically and that at an. and all times during development, if for any reason the balance of the project does not go forward to completion under this special permit, and the remaining lots are placed in any of the other uses possible under the underlying RD-2 Zoning District, no question will arise as to whether or not additional open space lots must first be committed to support the Open Space Village buildings already built. Since variance #10 acutally deals only with a dimensional requirement under Section 18:07 - 4 -C,we are in doubt as to whether our inclusion in that decision of a condition or requirement to meet the question at hand would assure the Town of protection in all events. We therefore impose upon our decision in this case the conditionthat tprior to the start of construction of any of the multi -family dwellings approved Special Permit,sufficient lots shall be dedicated as open space to cause the project as then completed plus the dwelling units then to be commenced to comply with the 30% open space requirement of paragraph 4-F. 2. Ownership and Maintenance of 0 en Space Areas Paragraph F requires that ownership of open space areas shall be arranged through incorporated homeowners association, condominium deeds or other land agreement through which each first owner (and we assume each subsequent owner) in the development auto- matically becomes a member. Sand wearesatisfied that statement attache iniumthe unitoriginal ta petition covering these point be granted each unit owner, together with the ownership of open space areas either by a land trust as proposed or in the alternative a basis forvne or more of the membership meetingsthisarequirementndomin1� will provide a form of ownership and 3. Use and En'o meet of Open space by Residents of the Development for Conservation and Recreation The By-law requires that under the above arrangements for ownership of open space areas, preservation of required open space shall be guaranteed for use and enjoyment the of residents of the development, for conservation or for recreational use only, Y residents and their non-paying guests. -10- + . We have examined closely the statements in this regard made by the Petitioner as part of its request for this permit, and we note that "deed restrictions limiting the use for open space purposes will be imposed upon each open space area as it is dedi- cated to the project..." In our opinion, legal instruments of this description will guarantee permanent dedication of open space lots for those uses and purposes only which are set forth in paragraph F, thereby meeting this requirement. Similarly, we note in the Petitioner's statement that "...rights will be granted to all unit owners of the project so as to ensure to each of them their rights to use the open space areas." We conclude that instruments grang exception therefrom from hts of this kind will comply with the above requirement except as we may grant time to time by variance. 4. Maintenance of 0 en S ace Areas Paragraph F requires that maintence fopen space areas to ashall charge fopermanently a share assured through instruments under which each lot issubject of maintenance expenses. The Petitioner made several statements specifically calling .foreacht a impositiunit ownertn (we assume in each unit owner's deed) of covenants requiring pay his determined share of expenses incurred on the maintenance of open space areas..." In our opinion, these provisions will ensure that the requirements for guaranteed and permanent maintenance and upkeep of open space areas will be met, except as we may grant exception therefrom from time to time by variance. 5. Other_Re uirements Finally, it is required under paragraph F that the town shall be granted an ease- ment sufficient to ensure perpetual maintenenace of required open space as conservational and recreational land. W� note in this connection the Petitioner's statement in the request for this permit e Tawas of Yarmouth will be imposed on all open that " restriction running in favor of th space areas by the terms of which no use inconsistent with the open space concept de- scribed in this application will be permitted." Since the application itself is consistent throughout with paragraph F of Section 18:07,we find that the restfortiwhich establishmentrofropenespacelareastto the for conser- vation Yarmouth the guarantee permanent vation and recreational purposes that are required in paragraph F. Overall,we find that the proposed development meets or will meet the requirements for open space in Section 18:07, paragraph F. SUf�fARY OF 5LiBMISSION AND MATERIALS This special permit is issued under the Yarmouth Zoning By-law, Section 18:07, commonly known as the Open Space Village Development having been.givenThis andtdue publication was Put before the Board on May 15, 1475, proper notice Cod having been made pursuant to OeSection petition'in light3and /of7thenaboveCreferred to Standard Times, and the Board xamined by-law and in light of all other requirements by other committees within the Town o -11- t not limited to, the Planning Board, the Yarmouth Conservation Yarmouth, to include, bu the Yarmouth Engineering Department. The Board Commission, the Yarmouth Water Department, examined several sets of plans, as well as documentary evidence presented by the petitioner and voted on June 17, 1975 to grant to the petitioner a special permit under Section 18:07 of the by-laws for an open space village development, to be located north of Route 6A in the village of Yarmouth, in Yarmouth, Mass. Oak Harbor, dated Feb. 14, 1975, which plan was presented to the Yarmouth Planning Board and which plan was approved by said Board, subject to certain restrictions laid down in a covenant by that Board with the developer - petitioner, and to which covenant, and of which restrictions this special permit is subject, in addition to those imposed by this Board. DECISION THE SPECIAL PERMIT REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONER IS GRANTED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS: 1. All lots on the above -referred to plan are approved for open space development with a maximum number of dwelling units on each lot or lots as imposed below, with the exception of Lot 11, which is presently occupied by the Federal Aviation Administration Contol Facility, and which lot will remain free from any development, so long as the Federal Aviation Administration Control Facility exists. However, should the F.A.A. terminate the control facility and forever release its use of that permises, then Lot 11 may be used for development of open space village units not to exceed thirty-two dwelling units in number, provided that the thirty-two units to be built on Lot 11 are made up from units on one or more of the other lots listed below, so that the aggregate number of units on all lots shall not exceed 750 units, whether or not Lot 11 is used in the development. The maximum number of dwelling units designated below for the lots listed shall not be changed without the prior review and assent of this Board. Lot Number Maximum number of dwelling units 38 8A & 35 35 33 52 13 30 14 28 15 37 31 50 16 72 18 32 29 27 28 50 20 52 23 40 24 44 26 & l0A 59 2 & 8 104 21 Total 750 2. Accessory structures and andfacilities, authorizedfollows, RD-2the zoningedistrictthat tunderma con- stitute structures, facilitiesBoard shall special permit for open space village development, or to the extent that variance, are include now or hereafter permit such structures, faciany reuirvities by these structures and facilitiE in this special permit, without however any qem nt that Which must be constructed in accordance with paragraph 3, following in order for the projec to meet the requirements of this permit. Ac1essory structures, facilities and uses are as follows: (1) Gatehouse (2) Sewage treatment plant and facilities (3) Garden club building (4) Requisite maintenance facilities, such as tool sheds, but not limited to tool sheds pro shop, (5) Community Center complex, containinga clubhouse, p p, dining room, lounge, kitchen, community hall, health club, ten guest rooms, post office -village store, which facility shall be combined unless the U.S.Government requires otherwise, management office, sales office, and swimming pool. The foregoing are for the use of members and guests of the development and are not to be open to the general public except -as this Board may by ce authorize public use of the Clubhouse, Pro shop and village store. (6) Related accessory features and facilities for the recreation and enjoyment of residents and guests of the development, including tennis courts, walking and bicycle paths, gardens, outdoor cooking areas, rain shelters, ball fields, a golf course and a look -out platform. of unit owners, (7) Garage and storagds andegaragessheds fsor e ballnot cexceedt83nstructures. which storage 3. In order to facilitate proper development, this project may be constructed its under in successive stages. The developer may apply for and obtain building pm special permit from time to time for each stage or phase of the project, prior to the commencement of each stage or phase, conditional upon the following: (1) No proposed building for residential use shall contain less than two, nor more than 24 dwelling units. (2) The component parts of each residential building shall be limited in height (height to be measured in accordance with the by-laws for the Town of Yarmouth): a one-story component - 25 feet; two-story com- ponent - 35 feet. (3) Parking areas shall conform to the applicable provisions of the Town of Yarmouth zoning by-laws. Parking areas may be illuminated for con- venience of the unit owners, such illumination to be glare -free. (4) Access for each proposed building for residential use shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 18:07, sub -paragraph 4, sub -sub -paragraph E, of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. (5) Emergency access, whether or not paved, shall be provided for in accordance with the requirements of the Town fire department and the Town police department, provided that their requirements are governed by Section 18:07. Sub -paragraph 4, sub -sub paragraph U, sub -sub --sub- paragraph 8 of the town zoning by-law. (6) Placement of the residential buildings on the loWmemostnparticularly ed above all conform with the requirements of the zoning by-la,section 18:07 , paragraph 4C. Said requirements may be varied by this Board, provided that a proper petition for a variance is presented and approved. -13- (7) In accordance with Section 18:10-6 of the town by-laws, this Board shall receive from the petitioner a detailed site plan for such stage or phase meeting the requirements of that section of the by-laws, which plan shall be forwarded to the Town Engineering Dept. for review and report. (8) Sewage treatment plant facilities must be erected and operating an functioning in accordance with the provisions of applicable state and local laws, the phasing of same to commence no later than the time when 75 dwelling units shall be occupied within the open space village dev- elopment. (9) The issuance of building permits for accessory structures as have been authorized by and under the terms of this special permit or by a variance now or later issued by this Board, shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) The ground area and height for each such structure shall not exceed the following: Maxium Maximum I. Community center Complex of inter- round area height connected buildings 10,000 sq. ft. 35 ft. II. Gate house 300 sq. ft. 20 ft. III. Garden Club building 3,500 sq. ft. 35 ft. IV. Maintenance Area buildings 25 ft. (a) open storage building 1,000 sq. ft. (b) 4 bay open shed type 2,300 sq. ft. 25 ft. buildings (2) ft. 25 ft. (c) garage - office 2,300 sq. 600 sq. ft. 15 ft. (d) bath house V. Sewage Treatment Plant buildings: (a) Communitor and flow measurement 400 sq. ft. 25 ft. building 4,000 sq. ft. 25 ft. (b) clarifier building 400 sq. ft. 25 ft. (c) chlorine equipment building 2,500 sq. ft. 25 ft. (d) polishing filter building ,200 sq. ft. 25 ft. 7 (e) office and laboratory ,800 sq. ft 20 ft. VI. Garage -Storage Sheds (b) Siting of accessory buildings shall be in compliance with the town by-laws Section 18:07 -4- C. (10) Prior to the construction of any residential buildings, from time to time, sufficient open space in the form of one or more in whole or part of lots 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 12A, 9A, 30, 34, 7, 11A, 4, and 32, as shown on the above -mentioned plan of February 14, 1975 • and lots 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 on Land Court Plan No. 35454A at the Barn- stable Land REgistration Office, shall be dedicated under the provisions of Section 18:07-4-F of the zoning by-law in order to assure that the total area of dedicated open space, plus housing lots completed or then be started, meet the requirements of Section 18:07 -4-C for the number o dwelling units completed, plus those which are then to be started. (11) All building permits taken out under the terms of this special permit sf be applied for within ten years of the expiration of any appeal this special permit or, in the event an appeal is taken from the date of expiration of any appeal rights from any Court decision upholding the decision in whole or in part, provided, however, that the developer may or appe; during the last two years of the ten-year period, by letter to, ance before, this Board, stating the reason therefor, request an extens, or extensions of this ten-year time limit. -14- 4. Use of this special permit is subject to the developer's providing a scheme for ownership of open space lots insuring the use thereof by residents of the develop- ment and their guests and the maintenance thereof by residents of the development, except as this Board may now or later vary the requirements, meeting the following general requirements. (a) Open space lots shall, following the dedication as such, be owned by a land trust or in the alternative, by one or more of the separate condominium organizations. (b) Following dedication of lots for open space purposes, there shall be restrictions in the deeds to the same limiting the use thereof to the open space purposes set forth in Section 18:07--4-F of the town by-laws. (c) Each condominium unit owner shall be granted rights to use open space areas in common with other unit owners and their guests. (d) Covenant obligations shall be imposed on each unit owner requiring payment of his determined share of expenses necessary for the main- tenance of open space areas. The instruments and documents utilized by the developer from time to time to carry out the foregoing may be altered and varied without approval of this Board, provided that the effect of the present permit is carried out. 5. This permit is granted subject to the condition that the developer restore by some type of vegetation all areas disturbed during construction, which areas are not either structure, walks, roads, parking areas, or formal recreation facilities, such as ball fields, picnic areas, or golf courses. The foregoing will not apply to areas withir the sewage treatment area which might be required to be kept open for proper operation of the treatment plant, nor to the work and storage areas on lot 13A. 6. This decision and the special permit herein granted shall run with the land, be exercisable by the owners from time to time of the subject parcel, and by the successor: in title to the present developer. The word "Developer" or "petitioner" used herein shall be deemed to mean and include the owners of Oak Harbor from time to time and the successors to the developers, as well as Oak Harbor Associates, the original petitioner and developer. Therefore, petitioner's request for approval is granted. Members of Board voting: Thomas N. George Robert Sherman David Oman Philip Dempsey Herbert Renkainen - voted in favor - voted in favor - voted in favor - voted in favor - voted in favor No permit issued until 22 days from date of filing the decision with the Town Clerk. per Robert W. Sherman Clerk 4 Filed with Town Clerk: Petitioner: Oak Harbor Associates O1%TN Or 1' r'LR'" IDU T }' BOAR1) OF APPEALS DECISION Hearing Date: 5/15/75 Petition No.: 1321 The petitioner requested from this Board, a series of variances from certain section. of the Yarmouth zoning by-law with respect to a parcel of essentially vacant land on the north side of Route 6A in Yarmouthport. The petitioner filed with this Board at the same time and under the same case number for associated consideration, a request for a special permit for an Open Space Village Development under Section 18:07 of the zoning by-law to be constructed on the same parcel This Board voted on June 17, 1975, to approve the petitioner's special permit request and the record and decision in that case will be filed with the Town Clerk for the Town of Yarmouth with the record and decision in this case. Notice of the public hearing required was published in the Cape Cod Standard Times on April 30,and May 7, 1975. Notice of the public hearing was mailed to parties interest, including abutters and abutters to abutters pursuant to applicable statutes and by-laws. The public hearing on the petitioner's request wa;, held at the Yarmouth Town Hall in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts on May 15, 1975 at 7:30 o'clock p.m. Members of Board of Appeals present: Thomas N.George David Omar, Robert Sherman Herbert Renkainen Philip Dempsey The petitioner's property consists of approximately 194 acres of vacant land on time north side of Route 6A in Yarmouth and situated between Route 6A and Bray Farm Road. The site is bisected north and south by Hockanom Road, known to us to be a dirt trac' 8 feet wide of long standing between Route 6A and Bray Farm Road. There is located on the property in the southwest section an FAA flight control installation, the lease for which will expire in 1978. The property is entirely within the RD-2 zoning district. Until 1973, apartments were permitted in this district and in 1973, this Board granted to one of the owners a special permit for multiple family units for 957 families. At the annual town meeting in 1973, the tok-n amended the zoning by-law, substitut- ing in place of the apartment section, a new by-law section for Open Space Village Dev.. This new section, as amended slightly by the special town meeting in the fall of 1974, is the basis for this petitioner's accompanying request to this Board for a special permi for multiple family units for 750 families. DESCRIPTION OF THE PETITIO'CER'S REQUESTS: The petitioner seeks variance relief from the zoning by-laws in order to be per- r,itted various structures and uses in connection with the proposed Open Space Village -1- Development for up to 750 dwelling units in multi -family residential buildings. The purpose of each variance is to make possible sor.4 particular structurDevelopme, use or activity associated with the Petitioner's proposed Open Spa Village which the related Special Permit petition has been submitted and which we have now approved. none of the structures or uses reflected in these variance applications repre- sents a building or an activity designed to stand independent of the basic plan for the site, that of a cluster -type residential development. In this important sense, all of the variances have in common their status as accessory requests, and we consider them in 'this light, although in part, we treat each separately and enter separate decisions for each. EVIDENCE AND DiATERIALS PRESENTED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING derson At the hearing, the rratiRe°anrandrepresented toytheAttorney Board byRichard Edward.E�Kelley,oRegyannis, presented a report by Murray g Land Surveyor. Mr.Regan's report describes the relationship between the proposed Open Space Village Development and the variances. In substance, Mr. Regan states that in his opinion the accessory features requested would be essential in order to make the construction of an Open Space Village economically feasible. Mr.Kelley's letter describes the parcel in terms of its terrain and peculiar geo- graphical characteristics, concluding ath t for le fseveral amily reasons, the land is suited for a cluster type development not An Environmental Impact Report in draft form was presented at the meeting, dealing in detail and at length with the requirements for an on -site sewage treatment facility. Dr.John M. Teal, Ecologist, presented a summary report of curtain of his findings, stating his opinion that the proposed development will contain natural areas separating it from surrounding developments, further reducing the visual impact of development. Mr. Kelley, during the hearing and in answer to questions, stated that established neighborhoods to the southeast should not be affected from a traffic standpoint by the proposed development, since access intoked. the site over the existing roads which now end at the edge of the parcel will he petitioner, stated that neighborhoods to the Richard Anderson, Esq., representing t southwest should not be adversely affectethe ordothe& constructionurinthe phase buildings,because�iockanomnRoad will not buildings requested uncle be used by construction equipment. Finally,the petitioner submitted plans to the meeting, several of which show the ielding buffer zones or strips to Buildings provided maintenancethe areaperimeter structurestfromeestablishedhneighbor- the Sewage Treatment Bu g s hoods. Upon request, we were supplied with additional data showing the relative size and significance of the facilities to be incorporated into the proposed Community Center Complex. -2- LAND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE OAK HARBOUR PARCEL Some of the physical conditions applicable to the petitioner's parcel, may be summa- rized as follows: 1. The parcel is the largest undeveloped tract of vacant land in united private ownership in the RD-2 zoning district in which it is situated. The district itself is small and includes the petitioner's parcel, plus some land to the west and more to the east, all being on the north side of Route 6A. The petitioner's 194 acres constitute nearly 30% of the whole. In addition, the land in the district to the east of the petitioner's parcel is already subdivided into single family lots, some of which are already built upon. 2. The parcel has unique topographic characteristics. The main portion is an up- land plateau with an average elevation of 85-90 feet. This plateau rises gradually nort) ward toward the water. It then falls away steeply to Bray Farm Road and sea level. The highest point in the parcel in fact is the hill (elevation 101 feet) in the northeast corner about 400 feet from the edge of this slope. Other land in the district has no su high upland which ascends in the direction of the marsh and water. 3. In the southwest corner of the parcel, there is situated a low, relatively wet area and also an FAA flight control installation in neither of which areas construction can presently take place. 4. The street frontage for the parcel is small in relation to its size and peri- meter. Supplementary access is limited, partly because of the above described topo- graphic conditions to the southwest, north and northeast, which are also found to to the northwest just beyond the petitioner's property line where the Town conservation land slopes steeply to Chase Garden Creek. Access is limited by the existing street network the area; the Yarmouth Planning Board has conditioned its approval of the petitioner's subdivision plan on adequate blocking of the stub ends of the three existing streets in Shaffer development, these being Cromwell Drive, Avon Road and Stratford Lane and on a connection to Canterberry Road in the same area for emergency access only. Nottingham F in the northeast corner provides no access to the plateau because it would connect near foot of the downslope. The only roads crossing the parcel or parallel to it are Hockanc Road and Bray Farm Road. Access to the west is blocked by reason of the ownership of tt land in that direction, some of which is in conservation use and ownership, and the bal: of which is already committed to established recreational and conservation use in the case of the Rod and Gun Club property. The Oak Harbour parcel is therefore singularly isolated in terms of its connection possibilities. 5. The parcel is unique in that it is the only piece of land in the RD-2 district bisected by an ancient way which must be kept open to accommodate the passage of person entitled to use. 6. The parcel is situated geographically 2,750 yards from Yarmouthport and 2.1 mi from the Yarmouth Inn, the nearest large restaurant now in existence. The site is 2.2 distant from the nearest public hall, 2.1 miles from the nearest post office and .55 mi from the nearest convenience store. We are familiar both with the petitioner's parcel and with the location, topograpr state of utilization, and form of ownership of neighboring land in the RD-2 zoning dist -I- We adopt as our findings the above list of physical characteristics affecting the Oak Harbour parcel. We further specifically find that these physical characteristics affecting the petitioner's parcel do not affect generally the remaining land in this RD-2 zoning district. No other parcel of vacant land in the district in united ownership is this large. No other parcel of land in the district has the peculiar topographic features of the petitioner's tract, namely, a high and relatively level central plateau with dis- associated low areas on opposite sides separated from the uplands by steep slopes having elevation differences of approximately 70 feet. No other land in the district has and is restricted by a Federal Flight Control facility. No other substantial parcel in the . district is to the best of our knowledge, as separated and isolated physically from its surroundings or as dependent on a small section of its perimeter for access. Finally no other parcel is split down the middle by an ancient path such as Hockanom Road. EFFECT OF LAND CONDITIONS ON THE SUBJECT PARCEL The land conditions described above which make this parcel unique in the zoning district have direct bearing on how the land may be developed and used and therefore on the petitioner's variance request. We find that the land conditions uniquely applicable to the petitioner's parcel make necessary the utilization of Yarmouth's Open Space Village by-law provisions. The configuration of the parcel dictates a development scheme which will hold the number and length of primary streets to a minimum. The reports to us state, and we find, that the petitioner's subdivision plan (which is the basis for the petitioner's applications to us for variance and special permit relief) observes this principle, whereas a single or two-family subdivision scheme would not. We conclude, therefore, that in this respect, land conditions applicable to petitio ner's parcel call for development under the Open Space Village scheme. By reason of land condition number 4 (isolation of the parcel due to the absence of secondary road connections), all traffic from the parcel, no matter what type of development is involved, will of necessity flow south toward and over the parcel's 125 feet of frontage on Route 6A in order to bear east or west on Route 6A. There is no other access. The lower section of this entrance road, which is the only one possible, will therefore bear the heaviest volume of traffic into and out of the development. A standard single family or two-family subdivision would inevitably contain lots fronting on these lower portions of the main entrance street which would expose dwellings con- structed thereon to a relatively heavy flow of traffic. On the other hand, development of the land under Sec. 18:07 will permit these exposed and comparativWlyfbusy ind tareas n eai the entrance to be left open. In this important respect, therefore, hat the shape and location of the land dictates a cluster scheme of development of the tract. In summary, we specifically find that the several land conditions noted above woulc uniquely aecarcelpunderotheTclusterparcel treatmentpractical provisionspurposes Sec.compel 18:07 of the the de vel- opment thp e zoning opment of the by-law. -4- r The effect of these findings on each of the structures or uses requested in the petitioner's variances (giving rise to the petitioner's hardship), and in turn the impact that each variance if granted will in our judgement have on the intent and purpose of the zoning by-law and on the character of the neighborhood we now deal with on a category by category and variance by variance basis: ORGANIZATION OF MATERIAL The subject matter of the variances falls within four general categories or groups as follows: 1. Accessory structures for each residence building. II. Accessory structures, uses and features appurtenant to the project as a whole. III. Non-residential uses. IV. Structures, facilities and uses which do not (or may not) comply with the zoning by-law. The material presented to us at the hearing was organized according to this group- ing and we utilize the same format for our report. I. ACCESSORY STRUCTURES FOR EACH RESIDENCE BUILDING - GENERAL INFORMATION Descri tion of relief re jest: Principally, this request covers 83 garage -storage sheds to be situated on lots numbered 2, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 35, 8A and l0A (reference to lot numbers appearing here and elsewhere in this report are to lots and lot numbers shown on the petitioner's subdivision plan dated February 14, 1975 and approved by the Planning Board for the Town of Yarmouth on March 19, 1975) for use of residents of the dwellings to be constructed on these lots and to be sited with respect to such dwellings approximately as shown on the plan attached to the variance request, which plan is entitled, "Typical cluster, Oak Harb- our." Final siting and placement of these garage -storage sheds will be shown on the si plans to be submitted under Sections 18:07-4-E and 18:10-6-B prior to the commencement of each cluster. This variance also covers typical residential accessory facilities such as patios, decks, fireplaces, canopies, unenclosed outdoor structures such as gazebos, refuse receptacles and bird houses. The variance also covers those accessory uses permitted under Sec. 18:02, paragrap 8 and 9, of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. Reason Requested: This variance is requested because there is no provision in Sec. 18: of the zoning by-law for structures or uses accessory to the multi -family dwellings specifically permitted by special permit under paragraph 4D of said Sec. General accessory structures and uses are set forth in Sec. 18:02 of the by-law, but only with respect to structures and uses permitted thereunder; under Sec. 18:02 (applicable to tl RD-2 zoning district), residential buildings are limited to those for one or two famili Variance #1 Specific Findings (Dwelling Accessories Variance) The reports to us at the hearing state that an open space village without basic accessories and facilities such as garage -storage sheds would make little sense. Basec on these reports and on our own experience, we conclude that the facilities requested in this variance are a practical necessity. These accessory and appurtenant facilities are not clearly permitted under Sec. 18:02 and 18:07 of the by-law. We do not believe this is intended and conclude that -5- ral the omission of common accessory facilities was inadvertent, but under a liteur judgement interpretation of the by-law, these facilities may be excluded which in since the b law imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner not of its own making by - amendment substituting Sec. 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law a e afterthe petitioner petitioners acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant of a special permit under the (prior) apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner' parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforce- ment of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of customary and necessary accessory facilities would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. ard facililies requested in this var�akcarboure can eogro�ted The garages and outside y without any adverse effect either on the neighborhood surrounding townspeople in genewellinbecause situatedthese nearbyrequested thestructures neighborhooduSeWeare noteall thatmthe on to the single family dwellings Rout bA between dominant character, from a land use point of view, of the area along Yarmouthport and the Dennis Town line is residential; none of the requested accessory structures is in any way inconsistent with this pattern of development. We find therefore that the requested variance may be granted ewithoufromthet substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measurpurpose of the Yarmouth zoning by' DECISION Upon the affirmative and unanimous vote of the Board on June 17, 1975, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #1. ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, USES AND FEATURES APPURTENANT TO THE PROJECT AS A WHOLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Description of relief requested: These variances cover: The proposed Community Complex on Lot 4 and use thereof. The proposed sewage treatment plant on Lot 9 and proposed sewage treatment facilities, an office, laboratories and parking and vehicle storage areas on Lots 1, 3, 6, 7,9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 30 and 34 as shown on the plan accompanying variance request #4,which plan is entitled "lots for sewage treatment plant and related facilitie and use of the same. The proposed maintenance buildings and facilities on Lot 13A and use ti�ereof. proposed Gate House structure partly on Lot 12A and partly within the right The pro p of way of Oak Harbour Circle. The proposed Garden Club building on Lot 11A, and use thereof. General landscape accessory facilities throughout the development. Open space recreation facilities such as tennis courts and paddle courts on Lots 5, 17, 22, 11A and 32. uch as markers, benches, drinking foutains, wash General golf course accessories s racks and rain shelters on any golf ririecourse which may be constructed. A replacement shrub and tree nursery, and 3 signs at the entrance. -A- N. Reason Requested: These variances are requested because there is no provision in Sec. 18:07 of the zoning by-law for structures or uses accessory to the multi -family dwellings specifically permitted by special permit under Paragraph 4D of said Section. General accessory structures and uses are set forth in Sec. 18:02 of the by-law, but only with respect to structures and uses permitted thereunder; under Sec. 18:02 (applicable to the RD-2 zoning district), residential buildings are limited to those for one or two families. VARIANCE #2 (i - iv) Specific Findings (Community Center Variance) The reports to us at the hearing included statements that an open space village without central community facilities of the type proposed would be unfeasible and economically unsound. We agree and find therefore that a Community Center containing the kinds of facilities referred to in the petitioner's request is a practical necessit for a cluster type of development. In our judgement, the facilities proposed to be included in the petitioner's community center, subject to the floor -area limitations for each facility, are reasonat and typical of those in similar centers. We conclude further that the proposed center' primary function and purpose is in support of and therefore accessory to the clustered dwellings permitted under the by-law. These accessory and appurtenant facilities are not clearly permitted under Sec. 18:20 and 18:07 of the by-law. We do not believe this was intended and conclude that t1 omission of common accessory facilities was inadvertent, but under a literal inter- pretation of the by-law, these facilities may be excluded which in our judgement, imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner not of its own making since the by -lac amendment substituting Sec. 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the pet- itioner's acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner of a special permit under the (prior) apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the propose development of accessory buildings and facilities in the form of the community center complex requested in this variance would involve substantial hardship to the petitione The requested structures and uses will have no adverse effects either on the immediate neighborhood or on the town as a whole, None will be visible from the nearest public highway (Route 6A). All of the structures and facilities requested in this variance, except as any golf course, the pro shop and club house may under the provisions of variance 03 be used by non-residents and except as the post -office store may be patronized by persons other than residents and guests of the development as set forth in variance #2 (v)t will exist to complement the residential character of the development. The outdoor facilities included within this category, being the swimming pool anc parking for the swimming pool, are consistent with residential activity- -7- All structures and parking facilities requested in this variance will be located on Lot 4 in the center of the development, thereby ensuring privacy to abutting neighbors. Finally, no secondary streets existing primarily to serve neighboring homeowners will be open to or used by residents of Oak Harbour in connection with the Community Center. The requested community complex is furthermore consistent with the underlying (RD-2) zoning for the parcel and the area in that the complex makes more viable, certair and secure the proposed Open Space Village which when constructed will not only commit solidly to residential use the 194 acre parcel of vacant land which is directly involves but will in our opinion, influence future development of nearby vacant land for residence use which is the objective of the existing zoning pattern for the locale. We find therefore that the requested variance #2 (i-iv) may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION By a unanimous affirmative vote, a variance was granted on the 17th day of June, 1975 in all respects and particulars as requested in parts i through iv of variance request #2, provided that the floor area in the community center for each facility requested to be included therein shall be no greater than the following: a) Club House and Pro Shop (consisting of men's and women's lockers, storage space and the shop itself) 3,000 sq. ft. b) Dining room, lounge and kitchen (including a coat room, dining room seating a maximum of 80 persons, wash rooms for men and women, food lockers, bar, and miscellaneous storage, but not including the connected outside deck), 3,000 sq. ft. c) Community hall (basically a multi -purpose room with entry, coat room, men's and women's rest rooms, area for final preparation of food and storage area), 4,000 sq. ft. d) Health facilities (consisting of men's and women's exercise, sauna and athletic rooms, either with showers or utilizing those included in the pro shop and club house group above), 3,000 sq. ft. e) Ten rooms for guests of residents (each having a separate bath and including common hall), 4,000 sq. ft. f) Combined post office -convenience store, 2,000 sq. ft. g) Rooms for crafts such as wood working, art, ceramics, 2,500 sq. ft. h) Museum - Art Gallery, 500 sq. ft. i j) Offices (including management and sales offices, developer sales office, and space for storage of records and supplies), 3,000 sq. ft. k) Swimming pool dressing rooms (included in the pro shop, club house group above) 1) Recreation and game rooms, 600 sq. ft. -8- VARIANCE #4 - 5 ecific Findin s (Sewage Treatment Variance) The draft Environmental Impact Report clearly sets forth the basic requirements for disposition of sewage for a project of this size. According to Mr. Regan's report, State tment and Local Public Health approval could thisnot varianceure�ewithout the facilitiesarequestedninand facilities of the kind requested in this variance to be absolutely essential for the project and wholly accessory in purpose and function of the primary use of the parcel for dwellings. These necessary and appurtenant sewage treatment facilities are not clearly permitted under Sec. 18:02 and 18:07 of the by-law. We do not believe this was intended nder a and conclude that the omission of common these f'acilitiesemayabelexcludedi,twhich in our judgement interpretation of the by-law, since the by-law imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner not of its own making, y- ter the amendment substituting Sec. 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law tocame aftitionerpofia- ioner's acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of necessary accessory facilities would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The requested structures and uses will have no adverse effects on neighbors or on townspeople. None will be visible from the nearest public highway (Route bA). All of the structures requested in this category will exist to complement the residential character of the development. The operation of the sewage treatment plant will not intrude upon the privacy of or be noticeable by even the nearest neighbors. Finally, all structures and parking facilities requested in this category will be located at least 50 feet from hperimeter i etermof the development, thereby securing added privacy to abutters and t residents h. The request is in addition consistent with zoning in the area inasmuch as it confirms and reinforces the commitment of a substantial tract of vacant land in a residence zone to residential use in the manner contemplated by Sec. 18:07 of the zoning by-law. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #4 may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the affirmative and unanimous vote of the Board on June 17, 1975, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request W4. -9- I VARIANCE #5 - (Maintenance Area Variance) We recognize from personal experience and observation the need for garages, shops and maintenance buildings and facilities if a project of this size is to be properly cared for. The reports to us at the hearing confirm this observation. We find that on -site maintenance facilities are a practical necessity for a community of up to 750 dwellings and in our judgement, the facilities proposed in variance #5 are reasonable in terms of the size of the project. We find that these requested maintenance and storage buildings and facilities have as their sole purpose the servicing and support of the dominant activity proposed for the parcel which is residential; as such, we find them to be accessory in character. These necessary accessory and appurtenant facilities are not clearly permitted under Section 18:02 and 18:07 of the by-law. We do not believe this was intended and conclude that the omission of common accessory facilities was inadvertent, but under a literal interpretation of the by-law, these facilities may be excluded which in our judgement imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner not of its own making since the by-law amendment substituting Section 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the petitioner's acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner for a special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting this petitioner'! parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 District, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of these necessary accessory facilities would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The requested structures and uses will have no adverse effects on the neighborhood or the Town. The maintenance buildings, to the extent visible from Route 6A, will Be far as appearance is concerned, comply with and be approved under the Old Kings Highway Region, Historic District Act. All of the structures requested in this category will exist to complement the resi- dential character of the development. Finally, all structures and parking facilities requested in this category will be located at least 50 feet from the perimeter of the development, thereby securing added privacy to abutting neighbors and to townspeople travelling on Route 6A or using the Town -owned land on the west side of the Oak Harbour parcel. The request is, in addition, consistent with zoning in the area inasmuch as it sakes possible the commitment of a substantial tract of vacant land in a residence zone to residential use in the manner contemplated by Section 18:07 of the zoning by-law, and we find therefore that it may be granted without substantial detriment to the publie good and without derogating from the intent and purpose of the zoning by-law. DECISION After a unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted on the 17th day of 3une,1975 in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request l3, provided that the buildings listed in paragraphs 1, 11 and Ill of said request shall sot be commenced until approval of the exterior architectural features thereof has been secure] from the Yarmouth Historic District Commission pursuant to the Old King's Highway Wonal Historic District Act. -10- VARIANCE #6 - Specific Findings (Gate House - Variance ) We take note of the increasing interest on the part of people everywhere to be secure in their homes. In addition, there was testimony at the hearing to the effect that condominium buyers are increasingly concerned about the security features of their prospective residence. We find that the concerns of future residents of Oak Harbour coupled with the obvious suitability of the proposed road scheme for a security control point at the fork in Oak Harbour Circle, together call for the inclusion of a gate house at the point indic, in variance #6. We find that the proposed structure and its location are reasonable in terms of the function of any such control facility, and we find that the structure and it: proposed use are wholly accessory to the residence character of the development. This accessory facility is not clearly permitted under Section 18:02 and 18:07 of the by-law. We do not believe this was intended and conclude that the omission of common accessory facilities was inadvertent; however, the gatehouse may constitute an excluded structure, which in our judgement imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner's not of its own making, since the by-law amendment substituting Section 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the petitioner's acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner of a special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner'f parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 District, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of a practical and desirable accessory feature would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The proposed gate house will not be visible from Route 6A. Situated, as indicated, at the fork in Oak Harbour Circle, it will be too small a structure to affect the view of neighbors who may be able to see it. Since it will involve only traffic entering and leaving Oak Harbour, the normal travel in the area by townspeople and neighbors will be totally unaffected. The request is in addition consistent with zoning in the area inasmuch as it provides a facility which supports the commitment of a substantial tract of vacant land in a residence zone to residential use in the manner contemplated by Section 18:07 of the zoning by-law. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #6 may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted for a Gate House in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #6, except with respect to the location of the same, (as to which, see the second decision in Group IV following), on the 17th day of June, 1975. VARIANCE 47 - (Garden Club Variance) Our observations and findings with respect to the Community Center requests in Variance 02 apply with the same force to this variance. We find a garden club building and the facilities to be included in it to be within the type of common facilities expected by future purchasers of dwellings in a cluster development such as Oak Harbour and therefore necessary as part of the overall group of support structures. We find the proposed building reasonable in size and judge it to be accessory in function to the dominant residence character and purpose of the development. facility not clepermitted underunder Section interpO2 anretationgof7these the As an accessory by-law, the garden club building may therefore sections constitute an excluded ofitsownmaking since dstructure, our thedgeent imposes bymlaw amendment substituting hardship on the petitioner no section 1807 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the petitioner's acquisition o the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner of a special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's summary, ing generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement this parcel but not affect of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of this wholly accessory facility would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. d use will have no eeffects on e general neigh - The requested structure anpublichighway(RoutebA). It exists borhood. 1t will not be visible from the nearest to complement the residential character of the development. The building and parking facilities requested will 'not encroachvariance will be luponethen Lot 11A toward the center of the development privacy of the neighbors or residents of Yarmouth. in s it con- The request is in addition consistent with zontia1ntracttof vacanthe area nlandcinaa residence firms and reinforces the commitment zone to residential use in the manner contemplated by Section 18:07 of the zoning by-tial We find, therefore, that the requested variance #7 may be granted without substan derogating in any measure from the intent and detriment to the public good and without purpose of the 'Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this'Board, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance ri a cesReques P7 o thein7thedlav of June, 19 with specific authorization for the inclusion referred to in said request. VARIANCE #$ -S ecific Findin s (Landscape Facilities Variance) such as fences, ctional The general landscape facilities and features, features replacement signs, fireplaces, rain shelters, tennis courts and even an area for growing accessory rep trees and shrubs, represented co�onrtance all118esidentialour areasjudgement that we do notyhesitate to in function and so usual and declare them to be necessary in one form or another in a project which could include 75 families. In our opinion, the expectation on the part of any future purchaser at Oak Harbour that these kinds of everyday amenities will be included will inevitabley be so high ig as to make out an automatic case of hardship in any situation where, as here, the applicab zoning by-law does not permit them. We believe that such omission was inintended and i vertent in any event. making, since the by-law amendment This hardship was not of the petitioners own substituting section 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the petitioner's -12- acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner of a special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner parcel, but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcemei of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of cus- tomary and necessary aceessory facilities would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The requested structures and facilities will have no adverse effects on the Town or the neighborhood. None will be visible from the nearest public highway (Route 6A). Except as any golf course may under the provisions of variance #3 be used by non-resident all of the structures and facilities requested in this variance will exist to serve the residents of the development. All such facilities are consistent with residential activity and are commonly found in residential areas. All structures and facilities requested in this variance will be located at least 50 feet from the perimeter of the development thereby securing privacy to abutting neigh- bors. None of these facilities, except for the lookout platform and possibly golf course flags or tennis court enclosures or baseball back stops which may be situated near the perimeter, should be visible at all to neighbors or residents of the Town. The request is in addition, consistent with zoning in the area inasmuch as it provic facilities which support the commitment of a substantial tract of vacant land in a residence zone to residential use in accordance with the scheme and purpose of the zoninj by-law. We find therefore that the requested variance #8 may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous, affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #8 on the 17th day of June, 19, VARIANCE #12 - Specific Findings (Signs Variance) Our comments with respect to the effect of the zoning by-law's failure to provide fc the amenities requested in Variance #8 apply equally to the signs requested in this varis We find that the size and type of the permanent sign and the two "for sale" signs, their proposed locations, are reasonable in terms of the overall project and are clearly necessary accessories to the open space village. In our judgement, hardship to the petitioner is clear and evident to the extent that the by-law does not permit construction of accessories facilities which are obvious and necessary for the permitted primary use. In our judgement, this hardship is significant and not of the petitioner's own makir since the by-law amendment substituting Section 18:07 for the earlier apartment by-law came after the petitioner's acquisition of the site and in fact after our 1973 grant to the petitioner of a special permit under the apartment by-law. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner' parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement -13- of the by-law insofar as it might prevent inclusion in the proposed development of necessary accessory signs would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. Although the requested signs will be visible from Route 6A, that being their purpose, they are not in our judgement in any way offensive. 'Their design and appearance will be subject to Historic District Commission Approval. The signs are not be be illuminated exce by glare -free, detached lights. We are familiar with the activities and uses, residenudetial and otherwise, presently in existence along this section of Route 6A; we the requested signs will not be injurious to or out of keeping with the neighboring area. The request is in addition consistent with zoning in the area, inasmuch as it is both necessary for and accessory to a substantial residential use of land in a residence zone in the manner contemplated by the zoning by-law. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #12 may be granted without sub- stantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the inten- and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous, affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted as condition requested in lare-free flood12, cortspotelights, on the tl7thday illumination, of June, 1975. be provided byy gRequest III. NON-RESIDENTIAL USES Description of relief requested: These variances cover space and facilities for sale of dwelling units by the developer in the form of a developer sales office in the com- urposes with provision for a resident munity center complex and a model unit for display p sales agent. (Numbers 2(v) and 14). These variances also cover the operation of the post office -store in the community center complex with the limitation that sales be made only to residents and guests (Number 2(v))- Finally,there is included in this category the request for authorization to extend use of the golf course and golf course accessory facilities, if constructed, together with the club house and pro shop, to the public on a greens fee charge or other monthly or seasonal charge basis during the first eight years of the project, or until the 750 units of housing have been completed and occupied, whichever occurs first (numbers 2(v) and 3(1) Reason Requested: These variances are requested because there is no provision either in the RD2 zoning district or within Section 18:07 of the zoning by-law for activities or facilities having business characteristics. We note specifically that the on -premises sales office for developer sales and the use of a model unit could be classified in a development this large as activities necessai for the contemplated transfer of the dwelling units to individual owners, and hence, as accessory uses to be dealt with in Group II. However, inasmuch as the proposed sales activity will not occur on the site of the particular unit offered for sale, or even with3 the cluster being sold, but instead in separate buildings, these activities seem to have at least in part the attributes of a business use and for this reason only are imzluded it this category. VARIANCE #2(v) - Clubhouse -Pro Shop,Villa a Store and Develo er 5ales Office Variance Since the impact of these land conditions on the requested use of the clubhouse and -14- pro shop within the community center would be the same as on the requested use of the golf course itself, we refer to our decision (following) for variance #3 M for the details of our findings on impact and hardship with respect to the use of the clubhouse and pro shop by non-residents. We find the proposed use reasonable and we find it necessary in support of the basis residential purpose of the Oak Harbour development. To the extent that such use is not permitted under Section 18:02 or 18:07 of the zoning by-law either as an accessory use or as a limited business use, it is our conclus: that the petitioner is exposed to significant hardship; such hardship is in our judgement not self-created by the petitioner, for it exists only in connection with the petitioner efforts to utilize Section 18:07 of the by-law for the purposes for which the section obviously was created. With respect to the request in this variance for a sales office for use by the developer while construction is proceeding and while sales of units by the developer, referred to as developer sales, are taking place, we note that in other developments of this type known to us in our area of Cape Cod, sales activities are f oc used other than or and in the particular unit to be sold. In our judgement, the petitioner both needs and i entitled to maintain and use an office located in the central complex for interviews, diE cussions, and negotiations with prospects and for other related sales activity. The petitioner as we see it is entitled to conduct its sales and promotion activity in a professional manner. In our judgement, the space proposed for such developer sales activity in the comm- unity center is reasonable. We conclude further that the sole function and purpose of the requested use is to effect an orderly transfer of ownership of the proposed dwelling units permitted under the by-law, which, in our judgement, defines the use as one which is accessory. There is no provision either in Section 18:02 or 18:07 of the by-law for a sales office of this kind, either as an accessory use or as a limited business activity which in our judgement imposes a significant hardship on the petitioner, which hardship is not self-imposed by the petitioner. With respect to the requested use and operation of a store in the community center in combination with a post office, to be patronized by persons other than those identifie or identifiable as residents or guests of residents, we are convinced that a case has bee made for the reasonable necessity of the same. Although no direct evidence or testimony was presented on the question of use of suc a store by persons other than residents or guests of residents, we find on the basis of personal observation and experience that any requirement that patrons identify themselves would be cumbersome and unworkable and would require a system for identification that could not be justified by the small facility requested. We find therefore that the proposed limited use of the village store (and post offic by others is both necessary and substantially in support of the primary residential function of Oak Harbour and that the inability of the petitioner to provide the same unde Sections 1802 or 18:07 of the by-law either as an accessory use or as a limited business use constitutes significant hardship not of the petitioner's own making. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner'; parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, literal enforcement of the zoning by-law insofar as it may prevent the uses requested in variance #2(v) would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. -15- The requested use of the clubhouse and pro shop by non --residents during the con- struction phase will in our judgement result in no higher level of use of these facilities in connection with a golf course, if constructed, than will be the case after the developmo is complete and the golf course reverts to use solely by resident members and guests. As such, the variance should have no impact at all on the surrounding neighborhood. As long as all of the parking facilities for the community center are provided at the let outset, no traffic or parking problems are to be anticipated within the development, on Route 6A. No congestion or parking should occur on Route 6A since there will be no entr to the development and therefore to the golf course except via Oak Harbour Circle. We conclude that neither neighbors nor townspeople will be affected in any way by this requested use. The conducting of developer sales within the community center is designed to reduce the evidence and impact of the necessary selling activities so far as residents of the development are concerned. The office will not be a separate structure, but part of the community usecenter should ha ld ha will noneffectewhatever onhe ance of a the Town orsthesneighborhoodurpose randng. The shou d, requested use sh in fact, be totally unnoticed. Operation of the post office -convenience store without the requirement that patrons identify themselves as residents should have minimal impact on the Yarmouth Community for at least three reasons. First, the post office -store will be situated within the Communit Center, which in turn is to be located on Lot 4 in the middle of the development. Second, this variance will be made conditional upon total avoidance of any advertising of the store outside of the Oak Harbour community itself. Third, the existence of the store will tend to reduce vehicle traffic on Route 6A. With respect to the effect of this variance on the overall zoning purpose and scheme. we find first that to the extent that all of the activities requested in Variance 2(v), although having business attributes, are purely subordinate to and in support of the basic residential character and purpose of the development, they are consistent with and not in derogation of the applicable zoning by-laws. Second, so far as patronage of the store is concerned, we will condition this variance upon the store being one limited to the sale of conveniences and necessities and also to its occupying, together with any post office or mail facilities, no more than 2,000 square feet of floor space in the community center. So limited, we are satisfied that it will not become an overly large market resembling and competing with those situat, elsewhere in Yarmouth in districts zoned for business, and as such, that the requested us. will not undercut in any measurable degree the zoning by-law. Third, developer sales activity in the community center will end under this variance following completion of the project and sale of all units. So limited, we find that such accessory activity, no different in kind from that conducted in residential districts whenever a house is offered for sale, will not diminish the effectiveness of the zoning by-law. We find therefore, that the requested variance No. 2(v) may be granted without sub- stantial detriment to the public good and without derogating substantially from the inten and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board sitting on this case, a variance was granted on the 17th day of June, 1975 in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #2(v), subject to the conditions following: 1. That developer sales activity in the community center continue only during the -16- period of initial sales of units by the developer or during construction, which- ever is longer. 2. That the store referred to in this variance offer only such necessities and con- venience items as are commonly found in a convenience store. 3. That there be no advertising of the store referred to in this variance outside of the Oak Harbour Development. 4. That the store referred to in this variance and any related postal or mail facilities together occupy no more than 2,000 square feet of floor space in the community center. 5. That all of the parking facilities described for the community tenter in Variance #2 (111) be completed before the pro shop and clubhouse situated therein are made available to non-residents of the development. VARIANCE #3(1) Market conditions may make it necessary for a golf course to be included at Oak Har- bour; if so, the burden of carrying its fixed maintenance costs could not, according to testimony presented, be placed totally on initial owners or the developer. We find that without provision for the use of the golf course by others in addition to residents during the development stage, construction of it would be unpractical and economically unfeasible. Since both the construction of the golf course itself, save possible for some of the related facilities, and the eventual use thereof by residents and guests would constitute a proper recreational use of open space under the Open Space Village by-law, we conclude that denial to the petitioner of the limited non-resident use needed to bring the golf course into existence and up to the point of exclusive resident use, as required under a strict application of the by-law, would be unduly burdensome and would constitute an un- necessary hardship. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioners parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it would prevent a limited use of any golf course facilities by t publis as requested in Variance #3(i) would involve substantial hardship to the petitic The requested use of the golf course, club house and pro shop by non-residents durint the construction phase is designed and requested only to assure the same level of patronal of the facility during early years as will occur according to plans when the development is completed. As such, the variance should have no impact at all on the neighborhood, provided that the parking facilities for the community center are constructed at the same time as the golf course so that no traffic congestion or parking problems will occur eithe within the development or on Route 5A. The only entrance to the golf course will be via Oak Harbour Circle. in addition, the nearest present neighbor to the contemplated site of golf course is approximately 500 feet from any proposed fairway. To the extent that the business aspects of the golf course requested in this variance will be limited in time essentially to the period during which business activity in the form of construction of the development will be in progress, we find that no significant departure from the regulatory effect of the by-law will be involved. Second, operation of a golf course itself is within the provisions of Sec. 18:07 and the additional tempora: use thereof by non-residents will, therefore, in our judgement, be consistent with the activities permitted under the by-law in Open Space Villages. Finally, we find that the purpose of the temporary use requested by this variance is simply to make possible and to -17- • support a primary residential use and employment of this residentially zoned land. We find therefore that the requested Variance V3(i) may be granted without sutstan- tial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimouse affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted on the 17t: day of June, 1975 in all respects and particulars as requested in Variacne Request #3(1) subject only to the condition that all of the parking facilities for the community center called for in Variance 112 (111) be completed before any use is made of this variance. VARIANCE #14 - Specific Findings (Model Sales Unit Variance) We note from personal observation of and acquaintance with other residential dev- elopments in the area, particularly those offering multi -family dwellings, that sales activities usually are centered around a so-called model unit, rather than in the parti- cular unit to be sold. This in our judgement is a sensible approach to a necessary activi especially from the point of view of occupants of units adjoining the unit being offered for sale. Traffic on driveways, over walks and through the common halls of dwellings already partly occupied will be kept to a minimum. The developer will be able on the othe hand to show a furnished home. The petitioner in our judgement is entitled to -conduct its sales activities in a professional manner with minimum disruption to owners already in residence. We find that the sole function and purpose of the proposed use of a model unit is to make possible the orderly transfer of the dwellings intended under the zoning by-law for tI RD-2 district. There is no provision in Sections 18:02 or 18:07 of the by-law for use or occupancy of a model unit of this kind, either as an accessory use or as a limited business activity which in our judgement imposes a significant hardship on petitioner which is not of the petitioner's own making. We find therefore, that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it would prevent the maintenance and use of a model sales unit as requested in this variance would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The requested use, occupancy and maintenance of a model unit for sales and pro- motional purposes is designed to reduce the evidence and impact of necessary selling activity so far as residents of the development are concerned. However, townspeople who may ride through Oak Harbour will derive similar benefit. Equally important, the building in which the model unit will be located will not be any different from any other residen- tial building at Oak Harbour; visually, therefore, the neighborhood will be entirely unaffected by this variance. With respect to the impact of the requested variance on the zoning scheme and pattern for this area in Yarmouth, we find that conduct of sales activity that is clearly necessar if residential development is to occur, all in one location rather than in each dwelling a; completed and offered for sale will not affect the purpose of the zoning by-law which was to commit this area of Yarmouth to residential use. Moreover, the variance is limited in time and therefore will not permanently suspend the applicable by-law provisions. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #14 may be granted without substantia detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. -18- DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted on the 17th day of June, 1975 in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #14 and for the period specified therein. IV. STRUCTURES, FACILITIES AND USES WHICH DO NOT (OR MAY NOT) CONPLY WITH THE ZONING BY-LAW Description of relief requested: These variances cover: Use of any golf course and golf course accessory facilities that may be constructed by residents and their guests on a greens fee or monthly or seasonal charge basis (No. 3(11 Construction of the gate house building on Lot 12A within the front yard area required under Section 18:07 of the by-law (No. 6). Placement of fills on the "construction lots" (Lots 1 & 9, 4,2 & 8, 10A, 11, 11A, 13, 13A, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 8A & 35) in excess of 5 feet to accommodate siting and grading of buildings, facilities and la dicapingme totas shown on de- tailed site plans to be submitted to the Board of Appeal Construction of a dwelling unit on the housing lots at of higher ratio of (footnote numbers require of units to lot area than is permitted in Section rovOded that sufficient open space in thi 8,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit) provided 19, 22, 25, 12, form of one or more of the future open space lots (Lots 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, 27, 9A,30, 34, 7, 11A, 4, 5, 32) is dedicated as open space prior to commencement of con- struction on the particular housing lot involved. Authorization to submit to the Board of Appeals detailed site.plans for each cluster of dwellings (the overall deveeop�m�nt plan TequestfillustratesHarbour thefiled groupingcofndwellingswithin tsub- petitioner's Related special p villages which we refer to in this report as clusters or phases) at the time of commenceme of each cluster rather than at this time as a condition to the grant of the sepcial permit which is the subject of the related request before this Board. To allow the developer to limit the use and enjoyment of parts or all of the yard areas of the housing lots in tdevelopment residentsthe constituting lesswthan theers of tentarelresling idez units situated thereon or togroups of population of Oak Harbour. Reasons Requested: Variance 3(ii) The assessment of golf course use charges upon residents who use the golf course, in the form of greens fees or monthly or seasonal charges, is included as a variance request erwise because the golf course, if built, wlbe situad the zoning by-law. Th ehparagraphlinlSectione18:0E space" requirement of Section 18:07 of describing open space states that it shall be held for the common use of residents of the by of development with maintenance peYicationyofsthisdspecificationga ch lot to a r isunclear; to the maintenenace expenses. The appi flexible charges related to the amount would prohibit assessments in the form of to of use, a variance is requested. Also, to the extent the language migcommonht be sassess ents, varian limitations upon use of open space by residents who pay theirrelief is requested. rse itself variance relief is not sought here for construct ionof the gexceptolf ufor accessory fc use of open space for golf course purposes, both being permitted -19- • structures thereon which are the subject of Variance No. 8. Variance 6 The petitioner asserts that the gate house on Lot 12A, in order to be effective, must be situated near enough to the paved part of Oak Harbour Circle for drivers to converse with the gate house attendant; as such, the structure will not observe the open space villf setback requirements (under Section 18:07-4-c, a minimum front yard of thirty feet is required) and in fact will encroach partly on the right of way of the street itself. Variance 9 The third variance in this category is requested because Section 18:9-7 of the by-law specifies that no fills exceeding 5 feet may be made without the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Variance 10 The fourth variance in this category deals with one of the two density requirements for multiple familyofdlotlingsarea.foroeachtSection dwelling unitonsttr0uctedConeanyres of the there proposed e proposed 8,000 square feet "housing lots." This requirement will not be met. Variance 11 This variance request that submission of detached site plans not be required for a cluster or phase until that phase is about to be built is inserted because of ambiguity in Section 18:10-6 which applies to special permits for open space village developments. To the extent that this section might be interpreted as preventing the Board of Appeals from acting upon the petitioner's related special permit petition without detailed site plans first being prepared and submitted, a variance is requested. Variance 13 The final variance in this class, seeking permission to limit use of the yard areas on each housing lot to the residents of dwellings constructed on the lot or to groups of residents less than the whole, is inserted because Section 18:07-4-F of the open space village by-law leaves it unclear whether in a subdivided development, the open space to be held for common use of all residents is that open space needed to meet the 30% requirement (the first two sentences in Section 1B:07-4-F provide: "all land not designated for roads dwellings, or other development within the open space village development shall be held fo common use of the residents of the development. Open space shall be preserved for recrea- tion or conservation; and shall comprise not less than 30 per cent of the aplie land area within the development plan.") or includes all land which will have no buildings, roe or other development on it. To the extent it may be intrepreted to mean the latter, a variance is requested. VARIANCE # 3 (ii) - S ecific Findings (Golf Course Assessment Variance) We find that we should have a concern for prospective buyers who as owners may have no interest in use of such golf course facilities, and who therefore may object to assessment of golf course maintenance and operating expenses as common charges. Fairness would dictate that assessments on owners planning to use the golf course be heavier than on those not doing so. As a corollary, non -paving residents should not object to some limitations upon their use of the golf course open space. -20- Although the point of this request seems to us to be a narrow one involving house- keeping matters rather than considerations of land use, nevertheless, we find that the by-law's apparent prohibition of what seems to us to be a fairer basis for sharing the charges called for in the open space section of the open space village by-law imposes an unnecessary burden on the petitioner. Mr. Regan testified briefly at the hearing on the hardship and we conclude that it would be significant in its impact. We find that the proposed method for shifting golf course expenses on residents who use it by monthly or seasonal fees is fair and reasonable. In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner' parcel, but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforce- ment of the by-law insofar as it would prevent the petitioner from instituting a system for use of the golf course facilities by interested residents who pay for the same in the form of seasonal or monthly charges would represent a substantial hardship to the petitic We find that this variance should have no effect on neighbors or on the public, for it involves only the basis on which expenses within the development shall be shared. To the extent that a recreational use of open space will be confirmed and assured under the proposed variance on a maintenance basis fairer to residents who do not wish tc use it,the purpose of the open space village by-law will be served. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #3 (ii) may be granted without sub- stantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the inte and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #3(ii), this 17th day of June, 1975. VARIANCE fib - Specific Findings (Gatehouse Location Variance) Reference is made to the fourth variance in Group Il for our findings relative to the necessity of a gate house as an accessory structure. In our judgement, compliance with the front yard requirements of Section 18:07 of the by-law so far as the proposed gate house is concerned, would cause it to be set back so far from Oak Harbour Circle as to be ineffective as a security checkpoint, constitutin a substantial hardship to the petitioner. In summary, we find that owing to .physical land conditions affecting the petitioner' parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcemen of the by-law insofar as it would bar placement of a gate house next to the paved surface of Oak Harbour Circle would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. The plan submitted with this variance indicates that the gate house will be no close than 400 feet to any present neighbors. Its operation will not be seen by abutters, nor will it be seen by the public from Route bA. We find that the siting of the gate house as requested two feet (or more) from the paved surface of Oak Harbour Circle will have no impact on the neighborhood or the Town and will in no way be detrimental to either. To the extent that the gate house will make it possible for the developer to control vehicle traffic into the development, residents will receive added security which will reinforce the residential character of the land which is the intent and purpose both of t -21- . . 1 . open space village by-law and the underlying RD-2 district provisions. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #6 may be granted without substantia detriment to the public good and without derogating from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted with respet to the siting of the proposed gatehouse in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #6, this 17th day of June, 1975. VARIANCE #9 - Specific Findings (Fills Variance) The open space village section of the by-law under which the petitioner submitted th4 related special permit request requires submission to the Board of Appeals (or Planning Board) of detailed site plans showing the elevations of structures, ways and adjacent landscaping. However, there is also a general by --law provision (section 18:09-7) requiring a permit from the Board of Selectmen for fills exceeding 5 feet. We find that submission of essentially the same data at the same time to a different Board for approval of one aspect of the proposed landscaping scheme (e.g., fills in exces! of 5 feet) imposes an unnecessary burden upon the petitioner. We find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it would require the petitioner to secure approval from the Board of Selectmen of fills shown on plans submitted to this Board would represent substantial hart ship to the petitioner. This request, involving the placement of fills on housing lots and on the lots for tY community center complex, the maintenance area, the sewage treatment plant and the garden club, concerns almost entirely the interest of the Town in controlling significant alterations of the landscape. This control will be provided by the Board of Appeals so that there should be no injury to the neighborhood or to the Town and full compliance witt purpose of the by-law. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #9 may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #9, conditional upon submission from time to time to this Board of site plans pursuant to and as required under Section 18:07-4-E and 18:10 of the zoning by-law for the construction of buildings in open space village developments, this 17th day of June, 1975. VARIANCE #10 - Specific Findings (Variance for Area of Housing Lots) meat A literal enforcem of footnote (a) to Section 18:07-4-C (footnote (a) provides: "lot area designed for multi -family units shall be not less than 8,000 square feet per dwelling unit.") would in the case of a subdivided parcel such as we are presented with here require each proposed housing lot to have 8,000 square feet of lot area for each mult family dwelling without regard to required open space, whereas in an unsubdivided open spE village, the test would be applied on a parcel wide basis. In our estimation, as long as the main density requirement in section 18:07-4-A for rt multi -family dwellings is met, as here, and as long as the 8,000 square foot requirement is met overall (housing lots plus opera space considered together), as will be the case here, the application of footnote (a) in this subdivided parcel works an unnecessary burden on the petitioner. In summary, therefore, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the Rd-2 district, a litera enforcement of the by-law insofar as it would require footnote (a) to be met for each housing lot would involve substantial hardship to the petitioner. There is a basic density formula for multiple family dwellings in open space village developments. The formula is set forth in section 18:4-A of the by-law; the formula together with its application to the petitioner's land was shown in the formula calcu- lation submitted to us with the petitioner's legal memorandum. The maximum number of dwelling units permitted under the formula would be 844. Petitioner's request for 750 emits falls well within this upper limit. Footnote (a) imposes an additional density requirement that operates only in cases of subdivided open space village parcels and it imposes limits which are more stringent than the formula test above. In this particular situation, it imposes an ongoing require ment that each housing lot contain at least 8,000 square feet of land area per dwelling u Petitioner requests that this requirement be waived by variance, but petitioner proposes that the intent and purpose of the requirement be met fully by the dedication of sufficient number of open space lots as each stage proceeds to meet and exceed the 8,000 square foot test. Since the addition of this proposed condition to the variance will result in full compliance with the intent of the applicable by-law section on an on -going basis, no injury whatever will be caused to any abutters or to townspeople or to the Town and the i tent and purpose of the by-law will be carried out. We find, therefore, that the requested variance #10 may be granted without substanti detriment to the public good and without derogating in any measure from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was granted in all respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request #10 and subject to the conditic included therein, on the 17th day of June, 1975. VARIANCE #11 - Specific Findings (Site Plan belav Variance) We were told at the hearing that because of changes in market conditions and buyer demand which are bound to occur over the 8 years of this project, it is essential that a flexible approach be taken to the design and placement of buildings from stage to stage. In our estimation, it would be burdensome in the extreme if the petitioner were to be required, before the first buildings have been started, to prepare and submit for the whole project the detailed information required under Yarmouth's Site Plan Review by-law None of the first stage buildings have been designed, lec al-:ne. those for the more dista' clusters. These by-laws, however, are capable of being interpreted as requiring just that. In addition to the burden on the petitioner in preparing such plans at this stage flexibility in placement of later phases would be lost, which could well render the project unfeasible. More practical in our judgement would be a sequential submission of site plans for'each Thase'6r"c ustfr prior to application for or issuance of a building .� « <_. permit for that phase _or cluster. The Board also feels it would have closer supervision of the project under the above situation._ y23- a :� r In summary, we find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner's parcel but not affecting generally other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement of the by-law insofar as it may be deemed to require preparation and submission of site rior to plans under section 18:07-4-E aetitioner6o€athelspeciallpermit requestedngs in the oinethe nt ppetitioner: issuance of or any use ld the p hardship to the petitioner. related application would involve substantial and unnecessary p The controls established in the by for the siting, landscaping, screening, poking developments (Plans subject and utilities of and for all buildings in open space village to site plan review shall show the location and dimensions of the alot, jacentetoxthe lot, and size of any existing or proposed buildings, and proposeark or recreation areas, u d topography, drives, parking, landscaping, p existing water sanitary sewerage., and storm drainage; and of structures and land,screening, , separate plans shall also show ground floor plans and architectural elevations o all pro- posed buildings and signs, to be prepared eifesuchnbuildingof s containa3S,fl 0 cubiefeetlof ings) by a registered architect or engineer the issuance of this variance; space or more (section 18:10-6-A)) will not be cast aside byunder it is a condition of our granting this vIatriisnvarianceall goeslonlyans ato theatiminggofrsubm%.ssior the by-law be submitted and reviewed. Therefore, the Town and its residents should in no way be affected and the standards in the by-law for site planning will in no way be undercut. We find,therefore, that the requested variance #11 may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating from the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth zoning by-law. DECISION n this Upon the unanimous affirmatievote and partiBulars asvrequest dwas ingranted, VarianceoRequest 17th day of June, 1975, in all respects #11 subject to the condition specified therein. VARIANCE #l3 - S ecific Findin s (Local Yard Enjoyment Variance) bilThe attractiveness and therefore salesetideveloperty of ltonsett aside g units ifor ncluster theex lusivevus elopment depends in part on the ability of residents of each building or group of buildings in a cluster exclusive use of adjacent it yard areas, sometimes referred to asorolocal°c�ontrolareas. immediatekyards thatpossible anefor ofthe owners to enjoy the same individual It also in our esti main characteristics of single lot, single family home ownership. the consciousness of oration will stimulate among owners of units in the same subvillage, neighborhood and feelings of identity needed in a project this large. From our reading of Section 18:07 as a whole, we find nothing in the general scheme of open space villages indicating thaegould not ur, but erdareas et bardesignationof local yafc tion 18:07-4-F, taken literally, could bedeemed to se all the exclusive use of one or several residents of the drequire co oWeufindithat hisrwould areas including local yards by all residents be unduly and unnecessarily burdensome to the petitioner (not to mention a unit owner without a yard). find that owing to physical land conditions affecting the petitioner' In summary, we other land in the RD-2 district, a literal enforcement parcel but not affecting generally petitioner from limiting use of the the by-law insofar as it may be deemed to prevent the yard areas on lots with awellingss thereon er severe and tothe r substantialnhardsh goon elpetia tiauero group of such residents would impose a Y ro:, car readlsS of Section li -07 as a ::hole, we find woblyg in th. gr i �: a i scheme of open spaAshoutal illages indicating tt�a 4 e f oze,oing shoo: no_ c::cur, but we ., ee thaion 1S:07-4-F, take literally- could be deem-_3 to bar desig��p��ion yard areas ior. he e:cr_liisive use of or several resident/]C an'o require corzyon use x �ZI1 vr_bu3_It areas cl� local yards by all ts of the developm-c. We Find t;�at thi woUIC be unduly end unnecy burdensome to - e Petitioner (not to?ntion a unit owner with d). In sL' mpZ we find that o►.QvIcting o physi.c:al land cordi" ons affectin; the Petitioner• s parcel but not generally other ana in the RD. district, a teral enforcement f the By-lav insofar a it may be deemm to prevent e Petiti.oner fro limiting 'use of the ya areas on lots wi- dwellings hereon to the re dents of those dwelling or to groups of sm; resides ::ould impose a s -ere aria substantial tLsrdship oa the. Petition. This variance seeks only to permit the developer to set aside local areas on each bousins lot for the exclusive use of the residants of that duelling or cluster of dwellings. As such, the muter is entirely one of internal rights and restric- tions; it dots not have anything to do with people outside the developme. Abutters will see no difference in she dart--to-day running of Oak Ha-rbou- no otter whether this variance is granted or not. W& find that this va- wili have no effect whatever on the surrounding neighborhood or on the r, dents of YninoLth. 01h. respect to the intent of Section 18:07-4-F of the By-law, we c, clude that its basic purpose is to ensure that certain ranu.red open spa! constituting at least 30% of the total land area; be made available for use and enjoyment of all residents. As long as this requirement is met, and we have made certain incur5pecial Permit that it will be net at all t. during construction and after, ws conclude that' the sense ana purpose F Open Space pillage By-law will be well observed. We find therefore, that the. requested z•a iarce "L3 may be granted iithout substantial detriment to the public good and without derogating any messura frca the intent and purpose of the Yarmouth Zoning By -Law. DECISION unanimous Upon the/affirmative vote of this Board, a variance was g:am`ed in respects and particulars as requested in Variance Request 013 on the 17t1 day of June, 1975. The following appeared In favor of the petition: Richard Ande,gon, Atty. Mr. Chandler ` • J. Robertson Marian McKinnon (by Letter) J. Ezrras Robert Halwig (by letter) E.E. Duar (by letter) Richard G. Allen (by Iette& 2': - 0 :7-c foilrrarin- sppeared in opposzL n: DuPont P. J. Rczelle (by Jotter) Merabers of the Board voting on June 17, 1975 to grans: the above variance: Thomas N. George - Votej in F4v02_ Robert Shernti.n - Voted in Favor David Oman - Voted in favor Phillip Dempsey - Voted in Favor Herbert RQnl:ainen - Voted in Favor No permit issued urtil 22 da, s from date of filing the decision wits the Town Clerk ver. Robert Sherman, .Secretary pro ter., the c`�.b6ve rifted members of the Foci -26-