The Zoning Board of Adjustment’s principle
responsibility is to hear appeals of administrative decisions of
town officials and the Planning Board with respect to zoning and
to consider applications for variances or special exceptions.
Appeals are limited to determining whether the zoning ordinance
has been properly interpreted. The ZBA also determines whether
applications for variances or special exceptions should be
granted.
Applications for variances are requests to
"vary" the terms of the zoning ordinance with respect to a "use"
of the land or with respect to an "area" of a lot. In order for
the ZBA to grant either a "use" or "area" variance, the
applicant must meet a five-part test specified in state law.
Special exceptions can only be granted where they are
specifically permitted by the zoning ordinance. Applications for
appeals, variances, special exceptions and other matters as well
as instructions are available at the Town Office Building.
The zoning ordinance is an important
document, which is available in the Town Office Building, and we
urge everyone to become familiar with it. The zoning ordinance
is passed and amended, from time to time, by vote of the
residents by written ballot at the time of the town meeting in
March of each year.
