Weston ZBA approves nine 269 North Avenue project changes as insubstantial

WESTON -- March 19, 2024, Weston ZBA finds 269 North Avenue 40B changes insubstantial in 3-0 vote. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved nine modifications to the comprehensive permit, including a three-quarter-inch reduction in Building A's roof pitch, a one-foot raise in finished floor elevation, added siding, and relocation of mechanical equipment within zoning setbacks. Chair Jane Fisher Carlson, Member Steve Larocque, and Associate Member Laura Mintz voted in favor after roughly two hours of debate over the line between ZBA jurisdiction and the building inspector's permit review. Attorney George Pucci of KP Law repeatedly redirected code disputes to Zoning Administrator John Field, who acknowledged unresolved accessibility concerns. Larocque, an architect, argued the front entryway is "eight and a half inches" short of code-required handrail clearances. Attorney Caitlin Baptista of Hill Law and abutter Brian Johnson objected, citing a 6.3-foot-setback retaining wall and a 24-inch caliper tree as overlooked changes.