Carver zoning board backs larger garages, OKs ADU

Zoning Board · Meeting of September 30, 2026

Carver zoning board recommends bigger garages and clears a disputed basement-floor ADU fight. The board voted unanimously to recommend the Planning Board raise the as-of-right garage size limit from 700 to 1,200 square feet, with member James Barrington arguing "1,800 definitely seems like too much." Separately, the board reversed the Building Commissioner's denial of a 900-square-foot detached ADU at 66 Pond Street after ruling, for the first time, that an unfinished basement's square footage counts toward the bylaw's gross-floor-area cap — Chair Stephen G. Gray called it "odd" but said state law and regulations compelled it.

The board found the basement and the principal dwelling each measure 903 square feet. The permit won't issue until the builder raises ductwork at least 3 inches and fixes uneven basement stairs, with the Building Commissioner confirming compliance by inspection.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,505 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.