PERU — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Monday evening to assume all town roads have a 50-foot width and place a 45-foot setback from the centerline for any structures being built.
The issue arose after selectmen discussed whether to approve a building permit for a 20- by 24-foot, two-car garage on 12 Brown Hill Road.
Road Commissioner Joe Roach pointed out that the garage would be placed where the landowner’s old garage sat, which is 50 feet from the centerline.
“That’s barely enough room as it is,” Selectman Jim Pulsifer said.
Pulsifer pointed out that the town ordinance lists a 20-foot setback from the road right of way for all structures.
“I think we ought to adopt a 45-foot setback” for all town roads, Pulsifer said. “That way, we could meet the requirements of the town’s ordinance and give people enough room to build on their property.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Lee Merrill agreed.
Pulsifer said the current setback “creates a lot of serious problems for people who have old lots that are close to the road.”
“I remember one time, a guy came in and wanted to extend the width of his porch,” Pulsifer said. “It wouldn’t have extended any farther toward the road. It would’ve extended from side to side. However, because of the setback limits, we had to deny him.”
In other business, secretary Angela Barkhouse said Parker Appraisal would be at the Town Office from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 30, to answer general questions residents have about the valuation of their property. She asked that the residents call ahead so they could prepare the information.
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