(July 14, 2016) A new Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County project inched closer to completion last week, when it received unanimous approval of a setback variance from the Berlin Board of Appeals.
The variance was a condition of approval by the town’s planning commission, which approved the project in May, but asked that the setback be pushed closer to the curb.
Habitat’s newest venture, on 21 Jefferson Street next to Berlin Coffee House and near downtown, would put two, two-story apartments over a ground floor studio or shop spaces for artists. The nonprofit would retain the downstairs spaces and use rental revenues to fund future projects.
Planning Director Dave Engelhart, the staff liaison, explained the appeal.
“Zoning ordinance requires a 10-foot setback in the B-1 town center district. They got conditional site plan approval from the Berlin Planning Commission at their May 11 meeting, which suggested to them as one of the conditions that they try to get a reduced set back, move the building they’re proposing closer to the sidewalk,” he said.
“The planning commission feels this is more of an anchor building for downtown [and] will be an attractive building and a draw to downtown, so they wanted to see it be more visible when you stand at the corner of Main Street and look down Jefferson,” Engelhart added.
The commission agreed, and unanimously granted an exception to change to setback to five feet.