Click on one of the links below for more information about the Hanover Board of Appeals (Board of Appeals).

About the Board of Appeals

Current Board Members

ZBA Staff / Contact Us

Processes & Procedures

Downloads

Related Links

About the Board of Appeals

The Hanover Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) consists of three regular members and three associate members, appointed by the Board of Selectmen for staggered terms.  For more information see the Hanover Zoning Bylaw and General Bylaws (below under "Downloads").

Current Board Members

Member:  Eugene Beaupre, Chairman

Member:  Thomas C. Bailey, Vice Chairman

Member:  Paul W. Hickey

Associate Member:  Matthew Perkins

Associate Member:  David Delaney

Associate Member:  Linda Martin-Dyer

ZBA Staff / Contact Us

The secretarial position for the Zoning Board of Appeals is a part-time position. If you have any questions, please call the office and leave a message, your call will be returned.

Phone:  781-826-0393

Fax:  781-826-5950

Address:

Board of Appeals

550 Hanover Street

Hanover, MA  02339

Processes & Procedures

The Hanover Board of Appeals holds public hearings to review applications for Variances, Special Permits and Comprehensive Permits. Variances are necessary when a lot/structure cannot meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law. Special Permits are necessary for such uses as home occupation, family apartments, stores, business, etc. Comprehensive Permits are issued for developments in which a portion of the lots are to be marketed as affordable housing.

Public hearings are generally scheduled on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Hearings begin at 7:45 p.m. and are held in the Hanover Town Hall, second floor meeting room, 550 Hanover Street. All meetings are recorded for the Board’s records and are open to the public.

Applications are processed by the Office of the Board of Appeals in accordance with the legal requirements and timetables established under the Massachusetts Zoning Act, the Town By-law and Rules and Regulations. Please file the entire package as noted on the application with the Town Clerk, the filing fee is due at that time. The application fee for a Variance, Appeal or Special Permit is $250.00, please call the office for any other application filing fee not mentioned above; the check should be made payable to the Town of Hanover.

An Associate Member will take the place of any Regular Member who is unable to act due to absence, conflict of interest, or for any other reason.

All hearings must be published in a local newspaper at least 14 days before the hearing. Notice of the hearing is sent to all property owners within a 300 fee locus of the subject property, the notice is sent by certified return receipt mail.

The Board of Appeals must vote its decision on a Variance no later than 100 days from the application filing date and on a Special Permit must file its written decision with the Town Clerk not more than 90 days from the filing date.

The Board’s written decision is filed with the Town Clerk; copies of it will be mailed to the applicant, and property owner if other than the applicant. Notice of the decision is mailed to all property owners within a 300 feet locus of the subject property. After a decision is written, signed and filed with the Town Clerk, parties aggrieved by the Board’s decision have 20 days in which to appeal the decision.

After the appeal period has run with no suits brought, a certified copy of the Board’s decision must be filed with the Registry of Deeds or Land Court. The Building Commissioner will ask to see evidence of that filing when you apply for a Building Permit.

If the rights granted by a Variance are not used within one (1) year of the decision filing date the Variance lapses. The Board of Appeals is authorized to make an extension of a Variance for good cause. The rights granted by a Special Permit lapse after two years. Special Permits may be extended for good cause at the Board’s discretion.

 

Downloads

Click on the links below to see Board of Appeals related Downloads:

Bylaws & Regulations

Maps & GIS

Forms, Permits & Applications

Related Links

Massachusetts General Laws