Charlton ZBA grants two lakeside setback variances unanimously
Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals grants two setback variances under newly relaxed state standards. Chair Frank Lombardi and Building Commissioner Kurt Meskis walked the board through recent amendments to Massachusetts Chapter 40A before hearing two cases.
Zoning Board · Meeting of August 18, 2026
Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals grants two setback variances under newly relaxed state standards. Chair Frank Lombardi and Building Commissioner Kurt Meskis walked the board through recent amendments to Massachusetts Chapter 40A before hearing two cases. The board unanimously granted David Holmes of 24 Willis Drive a seven-foot variance and a special permit for a second-story addition, citing his lake-lot's "unique" shape as hardship.
At 83 Jennings Road, representative Marcus Wenger sought relief for a garage already built 3.7 feet into the required setback after a surveying mix-up over land owned by the Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust, prompting one member to call it "asking for forgiveness rather than permission." The board granted a four-foot variance there too, citing septic-system placement as hardship, and separately voted to add a fifth full member to the board.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,605 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of August 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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