Zoning Board approves two variances, continues two others as state law changes
Zoning Board approves two variances, continues two others as state law takes effect. Chair Donna Parker, with board members Jeffrey Butensky and Allan Collette voting unanimously, approved variances for a shed at 22 Sunberg Road with required screening and an accessory dwelling unit at 1 Washburn
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of August 11, 2026
SPENCER — Zoning Board approves two variances, continues two others as state law takes effect. Chair Donna Parker, with board members Jeffrey Butensky and Allan Collette voting unanimously, approved variances for a shed at 22 Sunberg Road with required screening and an accessory dwelling unit at 1 Washburn Drive. The board continued hearings on two other applications: a house expansion at 11 and 15 Wilson Ave and a sign variance at 177 Main Street, with the sign applicant to return with a reduced-size design.
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A amendments effective July 1, 2026 replaced the "significant hardship" standard with "practical difficulty," aligning variance decisions with housing production goals.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of August 11, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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