PLANNING BOARD SEEKS GUIDANCE ON STATE VARIANCE CHANGES
The Planning Board discussed state budget legislation that shifts zoning variance standards from undue hardship to practical difficulty, potentially affecting local authority over dimensional and frontage controls. Vice Chair Alan Chaney led the meeting with four members present.
Planning Board · Meeting of July 20, 2026
DUNSTABLE — The Planning Board discussed state budget legislation that shifts zoning variance standards from undue hardship to practical difficulty, potentially affecting local authority over dimensional and frontage controls. Vice Chair Alan Chaney led the meeting with four members present. The board expressed concern over the adoption process and lack of advance notice to municipalities, noting that state environmental protections remain in force.
The board concluded local regulations should continue being enforced and requested Town Administrator Jason Silva attend a future meeting within one to two months to provide analysis of the new provisions. Separately, the board voted unanimously to return approximately $2,423 plus accrued interest remaining in the project review account for a land disturbance permit at 158 Forest Street.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 266 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 20, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Checked against the official minutes. It was corrected where it differed.
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