Zoning Board of Appeals



Meetings

  • First Thursday of every month
  • 7:00 p.m.
  • 16 Lincoln Road
    Lincoln, MA 01773

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

Most Recent Agenda | View All Agendas and Minutes


Members


  • Eric Snyder, Member
  • David Summer, Chair
  •                       Associate Member 
  • David Elmes, Associate Member
 
  • Bill Churchill, Member
  • David Stifter, Member
  • Tobias Brambrink, Member
  • Reanna Wu, Associate Member
  


About the Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is a land use Board which interprets and applies the town’s zoning bylaw. It decides on a case by case basis requests for special permits, for variances and for appeals from the decision of the building inspector, considering the impact on the town and neighborhoods, and the requirements of the bylaw and of state law.


The ZBA holds public hearings on applications on a general monthly basis. Many of these hearings are from applicants wishing to make additions or renovations who own a non-conforming lot: a lot that is 80,000 square feet or less, or own a non-conforming house that does not comply with current zoning setback and other requirements. After filing an application on the board’s form, notices of hearings are sent to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property.


A public hearing is then held at the noticed date and time, and a decision is made following the close of the hearing. Depending on the nature of the request or of the issues raised, the hearing may need to be continued to a future hearing date. Once a decision has been made, the board prepares a written decision, which is usually signed at the next meeting, and then filed with the Town Clerk. After filing, there is a 20 day appeal period required by law before the permit is effective and applicant is able to record the decision at the Registry of Deeds. The recorded decision needs to be brought to the Building Department when applying for a building permit. The board’s approval process generally takes a minimum of 3 months from the time of application to the filing of a written decision with the Town Clerk.


The Board has prepared an information and instruction for applicants explaining the application and hearing process in greater detail, and the board staff member, Peggy Bozak, is available to provide assistance and answer questions.