HomeMy WebLinkAbout5250 28 Little Dipper Ln Letter of Opposition 9RECEIVED
AUG 3 1 2026
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Dear Members of the Zoning Board, BOARD of APPEALS
Our names are Stephen and Maureen Canova, and our home at 56 Little Dipper Lane is located
directly behind the existing Muldoon residence. We are writing to express our strong opposition
to the proposed project at 28 Little Dipper Lane.
Our primary concern is the height and scale of the proposed home. The proposed structure is
approximately the same height (36 feet) as a three-family row house in the city. By comparison,
our home at 56 Little Dipper Lane is approximately 14 feet high. In nearly 30 years of living in
this neighborhood, we have never seen a home of this height in our neighborhood or the
surrounding neighborhoods, with the exception of areas near Bass River.
The impact on our property would be significant. From our backyard and rear -facing areas of
our home, we are accustomed to seeing open sky and the natural surroundings that attracted
us to this neighborhood in the first place. If this project is approved as proposed, the size and
height of the structure would dramatically change that view and could make our home feel
more like a city setting. That is not the character of the neighborhood we chose when we
purchased our home nearly 30 years ago.
Safety and Traffic Concerns
We are also very concerned about the potential impact of this project on safety and traffic on
Little Dipper Lane.
When our children were young, one of our primary concerns was the number of cars that would
circle around Little Dipper Lane. The proposed home includes three bedrooms as well as several
additional rooms identified as dens, studios, or similar spaces. Given the size and layout of the
proposed home, we are concerned that it could accommodate a significant number of
occupants and vehicles.
We are particularly concerned about the possibility that the property could ultimately be used
as a short-term rental, such as an Airbnb. Whether by the current owner or a future owner, this
type of use could bring additional occupants, guests, and vehicles into an area that already
presents traffic and circulation challenges. We respectfully ask the Board to consider the safety
implications of increased traffic and the ability of Little Dipper Lane to safely accommodate
additional vehicles and visitors.
Drainage and Flooding Concerns
We are also concerned about the proposal for four dry wells to handle stormwater runoff. Our
property is already located in a flood zone, and we are concerned about the long-term
effectiveness of these systems.
What happens if the dry wells become clogged, deteriorate, or are not properly maintained
over time? We would like to understand how the proposed drainage system will perform over
the long term and whether it could increase the potential for water to collect or migrate toward
neighboring properties. Given the existing flooding concerns in this area, we believe this issue
deserves careful consideration before the project is approved.
Property Line and Setback Concerns
Finally, after noticing the surveyor's stakes and the existing fence, we believe that the fence may
encroach approximately two to three feet onto our property. We are not certain whether this
affects the proposed setbacks or other aspects of the application, but we believe this should be
verified before any decision is made.
We respectfully ask the Zoning Board to carefully consider the height, scale, safety, traffic,
drainage, flooding, and property -line concerns associated with this proposal.
Little Dipper Lane is a special neighborhood with a character that has remained important to its
residents for decades. We ask the Board not to allow this project, as currently proposed, to
negatively impact the character, safety, and integrity of our neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Stephen & Maureen Canova
56 Little Dipper Lane