Zoning Board of Appeals

Board Members (Term expires)
Ryan Geeleher, Chairman (2012)
Michael Sacco (2011)
Susan Yunes (2011)
Nilda Cohen (2011)
Tom Sears (2010)
Michael Phelan, Alternate (2010)
Vacant, Alternate

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 211
Southampton, MA 01073

Telephone: Board of Selectmen 413-529-0106 or
Town Clerk 413-529-8392
Fax: 413-529-1006 fax
Email: zba@town.southampton.ma.us

Meetings
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets on an as needed basis in the Town Hall Meeting Room unless posted otherwise.

General Duties and Responsibilities
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a five member board appointed by the Select Board with responsibility and authority to hear and consider requests application of Zoning Bylaws and to consider appeals of decisions made by the Building Commissioner. In addition to the five regular members, two associate members can also be appointed and serve to participate in decisions one or more of the regular members are unable to do so.

The Board of Appeals holds public hearings on cases before it. Notice of these hearings must be published 14 days before the hearing, and notification mailed to abutting property owners within 300 feet of the applicant. The entire application process takes a minimum of two months from the time of application to a signed decision. After a decision is written, signed and filed with the Town Clerk, there is a 20 day appeals period.

• The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hold a public hearing within sixty five (65) days after the receipt of an application.

• Notice of the public hearing will be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the town once in each of two successive weeks, the first publication to be not less than fourteen (14) days before the hearing, and by posting such notice in a conspicuous place in Town Hall.

• Notice shall be sent by certified mail; to the petitioner, abutters, owners of land directly opposite on any public or private street or way, owners of land within three hundred feet of the property line as they appear on the most recent tax list including those in another town.

• The Zoning Board of Appeals shall act within one hundred (100) days (or any agreed upon extended time) following the public hearing.

Applications can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office or call to have one mailed.

Links
Massachusetts General Laws (40A Zoning)
Southampton Zoning Bylaws (large pdf file)