Chatham Zoning Board Approves Four Permits, Delays ADU Over Residency Dispute

CHATHAM — April 23, 2020 — Chatham's Zoning Board of Appeals approved four special permits and continued a contentious accessory dwelling unit application at its April 23 remote meeting. The board unanimously backed residential additions at 232 Shane Drive and 257 Round Cove Road, a foundation-elevation project at 139 Pine Knoll Avenue, a setback-modification at 48 Hillcrest Road, and a sign-addition request for Knott's Landing New England Pizza at 1077 Main Street. A pool application for 543 Old Harbor Road was withdrawn without prejudice after members signaled they would vote it down, citing neighbor noise complaints and a skeptical Conservation Commission. The board continued the ADU application for 35 Stillwater Road to May 28 after applicant Caroline Roberts acknowledged she spends one more day per year in Florida than in Chatham, prompting Chairman Robert Hessler and member Paul Semple to call for a formal residency interpretation from the building commissioner — a ruling that could set the standard for all future ADU applications in Chatham.