Shrewsbury ZBA Approves Four Variances, Splits 3-2 on Route 9 Sign

SHREWSBURY -- March 30, 2026, Shrewsbury's Zoning Board of Appeals approved four variance or special permit requests and continued a proposed Chase Bank development at 103 Boston Turnpike at its March 30 meeting. The board unanimously approved a solar array variance for Praveen Kosaraju of 600 South Street, shed and pergola variances for Samantha Orman of 101 Grove Street, a home addition special permit for Scott Davidson at 32 Oak Street, and a post-construction variance for contractor Steve Lussier at 201 North Quinsigamond Avenue, the last coming after members sharply criticized Lussier for placing a modular home roughly 1.1 feet closer to the side yard line than the board had authorized, with member Ann Ruffalo saying "this should never happen" and member Fran Manella warning that "forgiveness may not be available." A sign variance for McGovern Automotive Group at 420 Boston Turnpike passed 3-2, with Chair Mary Beth Lynch and member Ruffalo dissenting on grounds the proposal was "unsightly" and did not meet variance criteria. The Chase Bank hearing was continued to April 27 after abutter Paul Breaux of J.P. Fadul Company at 115 Boston Turnpike raised concerns about drainage plan changes, a shared underground water tank, and a history of the applicant's workers accessing his property without permission.