Zoning Board reviews state variance law changes, welcomes new member
Zoning Board reviews state variance law changes effective July 1. Town Counsel Ethan Dively briefed the board on House Bill 5555 amendments to MGL Chapter 40A, explaining that the longstanding hardship standard has been eliminated and replaced with a "practical difficulty" test that presumes
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of August 3, 2026
CARLISLE — Zoning Board reviews state variance law changes effective July 1. Town Counsel Ethan Dively briefed the board on House Bill 5555 amendments to MGL Chapter 40A, explaining that the longstanding hardship standard has been eliminated and replaced with a "practical difficulty" test that presumes variances shall be granted when conditions support such a finding. Chair Eric Adams welcomed new Associate Member Marc Bernstein.
The board scheduled a formal public hearing for September 28, 2026, on an application by Sean McLaughlin for 18.1 feet of setback relief for a barn at 391 Maple Street, with a site visit set for August 17 at 8:00 AM.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of August 3, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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