Weston ZBA Approves Six Heat Pump Condensers at Net-Zero Woodchester Drive Home

WESTON — February 7, 2023 — Weston ZBA unanimously approves heat pump condenser amendment for net-zero home, with sound and landscaping conditions. The three-member board — Chair Jane Carlson, Wendy Kaplan-Armor, and Laura Mintz — voted 3-0 on February 7 to amend a special permit for 16 Woodchester Drive, allowing six mini-split heat pump condensers, three on each side of the building, to encroach into required setbacks. Applicant Jonathan Cantar, building the net-zero renovation for co-applicant Rebecca Cantar, argued the one-condenser-per-zone design was engineer-specified for peak efficiency and that individual units operate at just 54 to 55 decibels. The board conditioned approval on installation of solid sound baffling barriers, consistent with the town's published guidance requiring three-quarter-inch plywood faced with one inch of sound-absorptive material, plus vegetative buffering of low shrubs around all six units. In a separate action, the board continued a building-height variance hearing for Henry P. Arnaudo at 506 North Avenue to March 14, pending a Planning Board appearance on March 1.