Dowling v. Zoning Board of Appeals

The plaintiffs own a beach-front parcel of land in Old Lyme with an area of 7150 square feet which is situated in a residential zone where a minimum area of 10,000 square feet is required. The lot is improved with a dwelling which faces south upon Long Island Sound and a detached garage which is closer than the house to Sea Lane, a private road bounding the property on the north. In 1976 this land was the subject of an application to the zoning board of appeals for Old Lyme which made the following requests: (1) a special exception for the purpose of enclosing an existing porch; (2) a…