Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals — September 17, 2026

The Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals met on September 17, 2026, to hear a single matter: Case 1595 concerning 25 North Street (Plot 9, Lot 40). Board member Tony Penfaglia read the application submitted by Will Saltonstall of Saltonstall Architects on behalf of property owners John D.C. Ewing and Nasira H. Ewing. The applicants requested a special permit under sections 3.1 and 7.2.2 of the zoning bylaws to demolish an existing one-car garage and construct a new 564-square-foot, 16.5-foot-tall two-car garage, maintaining existing nonconforming side and rear setbacks.

Architect Will Saltonstall explained that the proposed setbacks would slightly improve upon the existing overhang distances, proposing a 9.6-foot setback on the north side and an 8.7-foot setback on the west side. Board member Mike Amaral raised a question regarding whether the application needed an amendment to address total permitted garage space under Section 3.22, which caps garage space at 864 square feet, given an existing bay within the house. Saltonstall and the board determined that the total garage footprint remained well below the threshold and that future house renovations would convert the interior garage bay into living space anyway.

Abutter Pat Donahue of 30 Mechanic Street spoke in support, noting that the proposed garage borders her own garage rather than her residence and causes no concern. The board closed public participation and voted unanimously to approve Case 1595 as proposed before adjourning.

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