[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Falmouth Zoning Board of
Appeals 9-4-2014.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor’s Note: These also rules superseded former Ch.
310, Zoning Board of Appeals Procedural Rules, adopted 8-25-2011.
Pursuant to MGL c. 40A, § 11, these rules establish
procedures for the operations of the Zoning Board of Appeals (the
"Board") and procedures for applications to the Board with the exception
of applications for comprehensive permits. (Please refer to the Falmouth
Zoning Board of Appeals Comprehensive Permit Rules and Procedures.[1])
These rules must be read in conjunction with and implemented in a manner consistent with the Open Meeting Law (MGL c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25), the Conflict of Interest Law (MGL c. 268A), the Financial Disclosure Law (MGL c. 268B), the Zoning Law (MGL. c. 40A) and Chapter 240 of the Code of Falmouth.
The "Board" means the Zoning Board of Appeals established pursuant to MGL c. 40A, § 12, and Chapter 240 of the Code of Falmouth. The Board is comprised of five (5) regular members and two (2) associate members appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Board shall possess and exercise all powers given to it under the Constitution and laws of the commonwealth and shall have and exercise such additional powers and duties as may be authorized by the Falmouth Home Rule Charter, bylaw or vote of Town Meeting. Any reference to the Board shall mean all regular members and associate members unless otherwise stated.
A.
Regular members: members so appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Regular members shall have the power and duty to fully participate
in all matters of the Board as set forth in these rules.
B.
Associate members: members so appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Associate members shall have the power and duty to participate fully in all matters of the Board with the exception of voting on decisions on appeals, special permits or variances unless otherwise authorized by § 310-3.02 of these rules.
C.
Voting member: All members are voting members except in public hearings (or as otherwise specified below) when a voting member is either a regular member or an associate member who has been appointed by the Chair to vote pursuant to § 310-3.02 of these rules. A member shall vote on an appeal, special permit or variance only if present for the entire public hearing or continuation thereof.
A "public hearing" is a legal proceeding held by the Board following
notice to consider and act upon applications for appeals, special
permits and variances pursuant to MGL c. 40A, §§ 6
through 15. Public hearings shall be scheduled on a regular basis
at a time and location as set forth in public notice. Four (4) members
must be present to constitute a quorum.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
Meetings to consider other business before the Board may be held in accordance with § 310-1.02 of these rules at any time the Board is properly convened, at the request of the Chair or at the request of four (4) members. Written notice thereof shall be given to each member and posted with the Town Clerk no less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to a meeting. Four (4) members must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum. All members are entitled to vote at meetings unless otherwise restricted by these rules.
[Amended 11-29-2018]
The Board shall elect, at least annually in July, [or the first
meeting following the appointment of a regular member(s)], officers
consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk. Officers shall be regular
members. In the event of a mid-term appointment by the Board of Selectmen
of a regular member, or in the case of an officer vacancy, the Board
shall hold an additional election at the next meeting of the Board.
Upon a vote of no confidence, an officer may be removed as an officer
and an additional election shall be held at the next meeting of the
Board. The removal of an officer by a vote of no confidence requires
receipt of notification by the officer that such a vote will be made
at a subsequent meeting. A vote of no confidence shall be not be made
without just cause as identified in the notification. A vote of no
confidence requires a two-thirds vote of the Board. The powers of
the officers are both granted by and limited by these rules. No officer
shall possess individual authority unless such authority shall have
previously been granted by a vote of the Board.
A.
Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings and public hearings
of the Board in accordance with these rules. The Chair shall decide
all points of order after polling the Board. Notwithstanding the Chair's
decision, a two-thirds vote of the members present shall overrule
any points of order. The Chair shall call meetings and public hearings
to order, shall call a vote when required and shall be recorded on
all matters coming before the Board. The Chair shall appoint associate
members as voting members, as may be required, for public hearings,
or as otherwise required by these rules, should regular members be
unavailable or unable to participate. The Chair shall appoint a substitute
Clerk as necessary. The Chair is limited to representing the actions
of the Board or any consensus thereof.
B.
Vice Chair. If the Chair is unable to participate in any meeting
or public hearing of the Board, the Vice Chair shall preside and shall
assume all the duties of the Chair.
C.
Clerk. Upon the opening of a public hearing, the Clerk shall read
the notice of public hearing. The Clerk is also responsible for reading
or summarizing all Town departmental referrals and appropriate correspondence
at the public hearing pertaining to each case. If the Chair and the
Vice Chair are both unable to participate in any meeting or public
hearing of the Board, the Clerk shall assume the duties of the Chair
and shall appoint associate members as necessary.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
The duties and responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator are outlined in the job description on file in the Personnel Office in the Town of Falmouth. The Zoning Administrator shall have the powers and responsibilities set forth in Chapter 240 of the Code of Falmouth as may be amended from time to time. Further the Zoning Administrator shall have the sole responsibility to gather information for the Board including, but not limited to, research, expert opinions, legal opinions and communications and decisions from other Town boards, departments and the Building/Zoning Commissioner. The Zoning Administrator is responsible for the distribution of information to all members to ensure that each member has all information pertinent to an application and the rendering of a decision. Any requests for information from any member shall be directed to the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator shall inform the Board of the inability to acquire, on a timely basis, the information requested. The Zoning Administrator shall prepare detailed agendas for Board meetings and public hearings. Agendas shall detail all public hearings, continuations, action items and matters previously taken under advisement that shall be discussed or acted upon. Agendas shall be prepared one (1) week in advance. Where possible, the order of the agenda shall take into consideration the needs of the applicants and the public. The Zoning Administrator shall write the decisions of the Board. The Zoning Administrator shall maintain all records of the Board.
The Zoning Administrator shall be delegated limited authority to grant administrative approvals. (See § 310-5.05.)
A.
All completed applications for a special permit or a variance are to be filed with the Town Clerk and submitted to the Board with the applicable fee in accordance with Chapter 240 of the Code of Falmouth on the form approved by the Board. Applicants shall comply with the instructions published from time-to-time by the Zoning Administrator which minimally shall require an applicant to submit in advance of a public hearing all relevant legal, engineering and architectural support upon which the applicant intends to rely.
B.
An appeal of the decision or order of the Building Commissioner or
Zoning Administrator to the Board shall be made pursuant to MGL c.
40A, § 8, by filing with the Town Clerk a notice of appeal
within thirty (30) days from the date of the order or decision or
failure to act that is being appealed. The reasons and grounds for
the appeal must be specified in the notice of the appeal. A copy of
the notice of appeal must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator
with the applicable fee and the original decision or order of the
Building Commissioner and any information relied upon by both the
appellant and the Building Commissioner.
[Amended 11-29-2018]
C.
All information submitted to the Board regarding an application shall
be available for review by the public in the Zoning Office.
Notice of all public hearings shall be scheduled pursuant to
MGL c. 40A § 11.
All Public Hearings shall be scheduled pursuant to M.G.L. c.
40A § 8-15.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
Only the Zoning Administrator shall communicate with the applicant
or interested parties.
A.
Pursuant to MGL c. 44, § 53G, the Board is authorized to
require an applicant to post reasonable fees for employment of outside
consultants.
B.
The Board may require the payment of a consultant fee at any time
during the hearing or deliberations prior to a final decision by an
affirmative vote of four (4) voting members.
C.
The consultant fee may be required for opinions regarding, but not
limited to, peer review of reports and opinions and land use law.
D.
The applicant shall pay the consultant fee to the Town to be put
into a special purpose account established by the Board that may be
drawn upon by the Board at one of its open meetings.
E.
The Board shall return any unused portion of the consultant fee,
including interest accrued, if any, to the applicant.
F.
Any applicant aggrieved by the imposition of, or the amount of, the
consultant fee, or any act related thereto, may appeal according to
the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.
A.
All public hearings are advertised and held in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
B.
All application files are open to the public for review prior to
and after the hearing.
C.
Everyone attending a public hearing is asked to show respect and
courtesy by:
D.
All public hearings are recorded (and most are televised) to insure
a true and accurate record.
E.
The Clerk shall read the application into the record and then read
any referrals from Town Departments or correspondences from interested
parties. The applicant or her/his authorized agent will then briefly
summarize the application and why relief/approval should be granted
in accordance with specific sections of the Zoning Bylaw. [Note: information
provided less than one (1) week prior to a public hearing by any party
may result in a continuance.] It is generally expected that the applicant's
presentation will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes in length. Some
applications are sufficiently complex that more time is required,
particularly when there are multiple presenters. To ensure the opportunity
for all applicants to have the full opportunity to be heard on a given
evening, should the presentation exceed fifteen (15) minutes in length,
the Board shall take one (1) or more of the following actions by majority
vote of the voting members:
[Amended 3-5-2016]
(1)
Inquire as to how much additional time the applicant requires
to complete the presentation and proceed if a limited amount of time
is needed;
(2)
Continue the hearing to the end of the meeting, depending on
available time; or
(3)
Continue the hearing to another date and time.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsections F, which stated that the Clerk would read all referrals received from pertinent Town departments, and G, which stated that the Clerk would provide information on correspondence received, were repealed 3-5-2016. This enactment also redesignated former Subsections H through L as Subsections F through J, respectively.
F.
The Zoning Administrator will provide any updates and alert the Board
to any issues to be considered.
G.
Members will ask questions of the applicant.
H.
The public will be asked for comment if applicable. It is generally
expected that comments from the public in total will not exceed 15
minutes in length. Collective public testimony exceeding this period
may result in the termination of public comment in order to accommodate
the Board's hearing schedule. Individuals recognized by the Chair
will be asked to step forward to the lectern (if physically able),
identify themselves for the Board, including address, and state if
in opposition, in support or seeking clarification. Only brief, unrepeated
testimony relevant to the zoning issues of the application will be
allowed. It is the quality of the testimony, not the quantity that
will be of greatest value to the Board in its deliberations. The Chair
will help speakers comply with these requirements and may restrict
individual testimony out of respect for other speakers. Statements
are to be made to the Board. Speakers shall refrain from conversations
with the applicant or the audience. The Board may ask questions of
the speakers. Please note public comment on variance applications
will be limited to the legal standards set forth in the statute and
bylaw. Brief rebuttal may be allowed by the Chair.
I.
At the close of testimony, the Board will thoroughly discuss the application if necessary. Based on testimony and the Board's discussion, the applicant may wish to modify the request or withdraw the request. (See § 310-5.04.) Following discussion, several options are available to the Board through the affirmative vote of four (4) voting members including:
(1)
Continuation. Should the Board determine that additional information
is required, the public hearing would be continued to a date certain.
The applicant may be asked to supply the Board with further facts,
which can be reviewed by the public in the Zoning Office. The applicant
could also request a continuance.
(2)
Vote to close the public hearing. The Board will close the public
hearing if it is satisfied that all relevant testimony has been received.
The Board may chose to leave the record open for a specific time period
to receive written documentation for clarification and review. Once
the public hearing is closed, no new testimony will be allowed unless
the Board immediately votes on its own initiative to reopen the public
hearing for the sole purpose to clarify any findings or conditions.
However, the Board may seek clarification or advice from Town or Special
Counsel without reopening the public hearing. After the public hearing
is closed, the Board has several options including:
(a)
Take action. After a full discussion of the application, the
Board shall make findings and vote to approve or deny the application.
Should there be an insufficient number of votes to either approve
or deny an application, the application shall be deemed denied.
(b)
Take the matter under advisement. In cases where documentation
is complex or new documentation has been provided at the public hearing
or based on testimony, the Board may wish to further review testimony
and documentation before rendering a decision. The Board will take
action at a subsequent public meeting, but not at an advertised public
hearing as all testimony has been received.
(c)
Request a draft decision from the Zoning Administrator. In some
cases, the Board may vote to request the Zoning Administrator to draft
a decision for review by the Board. The Board will take action at
a subsequent public meeting, but not at an advertised public hearing
as all testimony has been received.
J.
Public hearings shall end at 9:30 p.m. unless extended by Board vote.
The applicant may withdraw an application without prejudice
at any time prior to the publication of the notice of public hearing.
An application may be withdrawn, with or without prejudice, after
the publication of the notice of public hearing only by an affirmative
vote of four (4) voting members.
Administrative approvals involve minor requests from applicants
that would otherwise require a special permit or a modification of
a special permit. The administrative approval process does not involve
notification to abutters or a public hearing. There are three (3)
types of administrative approvals as follows:
A.
Board of Appeals. The Board may condition a special permit decision
to reserve the right to administratively approve specified changes
to the permit. The holder of a special permit may request the Board
to administratively approve an insubstantial change to an existing
special permit. Administrative approvals pursuant to this section
shall be noticed in the public meeting notice and discussed and decided
in an open meeting. (Note: A substantial change would require notification
to abutters and a public hearing in order to modify an existing special
permit.) An affirmative vote of four (4) voting members shall be required.
The voting members need not be the same members who voted in the original
decision.
B.
Board of Appeals and Zoning Administrator. The Board may condition
a special permit decision and delegate to the Zoning Administrator
the right to administratively approve certain details or minor changes
to the permit. The Zoning Administrator shall provide a written monthly
report to the Board of all administrative approvals pursuant to this
section.
C.
Zoning Administrator. ** As of November 12, 2018, this Zoning Administrator
approval process shall be discontinued until such time as the Board
approves its reinstatement by vote of said Board.** The Zoning Administrator
shall be delegated limited authority to grant administrative approvals
for residential or commercial requests that do not exceed the lot
coverage criteria set forth in § 240-69 and where conditions
become not more nonconforming as follows:
[Amended 3-5-2016; 11-29-2018]
(1)
Where no new rooms are created;
(2)
Decks that are not enclosed that are within existing setbacks;
(3)
Three-season rooms without heat or plumbing that are within
existing setbacks;
(4)
Additions that do not change existing setbacks or create new
rooms; and
(5)
Small residential accessory structures that do not include habitable
space and not exceeding two hundred (200) square feet, including sheds
in front yards that are more than fifty (50) feet from the street
layout.
The Zoning Administrator shall provide a written monthly report
to the Board of all administrative approvals pursuant to this section.
Any person aggrieved by a decision or order of the Zoning Administrator,
whether or not a party to the proceeding, or any municipal office
or board, may appeal to the Board of Appeals, as provided in MGL c.
40A, § 14, within thirty (30) days after the decision of
the Zoning Administrator has been filed in the office of the Town
Clerk. Any appeal, application or petition filed with said Zoning
Administrator as to which no decision has been issued within thirty-five
(35) days from the date of filing shall be deemed denied and shall
be subject to appeal of the Board of Appeals as provided in MGL c.
40A, § 8.
The recording secretary shall prepare minutes of each meeting
and public hearing to be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and
approved by the Board at a subsequent meeting. The Zoning Administrator
shall file the approved minutes of each meeting and public hearing
with the Town Clerk.
A vote of four (4) voting members is required in order to grant a special permit or variance or to overturn an order or decision of the Building Commissioner or other public hearing action. Board administrative approvals shall require an affirmative vote of four (4) voting members. The voting members need not be the same members voting in the original decision. An action to reopen a public hearing pursuant to § 310-6.03, Reconsideration, (below) or to take action as a result of a reopened public hearing requires an affirmative vote of four (4) of the voting members who participated in the original public hearing. For all other matters, unless expressly stated herein, a majority the members present is required to take action.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
Decisions shall be signed by the Chair, or if unable the Vice
Chair, or if unable the Clerk. Draft decisions shall be made available
for review by the voting members prior to signature. In the event
an application is requested to be withdrawn without prejudice before
or after testimony in a public hearing, the Board herein allows the
Zoning Administrator, after the Board’s approval of said document,
to sign the decision of withdrawal and file the decision with the
Town Clerk.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
Upon written request for reconsideration from an aggrieved party
and with a signed waiver from applicant extending the fourteen-day
(14-day) requirement of a decision being filed, the Board may vote
to reopen a public hearing prior to the filing of a decision with
the Town Clerk, only in the case where a serious procedural defect
(for example improper or ineffectual notice of the original public
hearing) has prevented, in the sole opinion of the Board, a full and
fair public hearing. Action to reopen must be taken by an affirmative
vote of four (4) of the voting members who participated in the original
public hearing. A reopened public hearing must satisfy the notification
requirements of MGL c. 40A § 11. Action taken during or
as a result of the reopened hearing requires an affirmative vote of
four (4) of the voting members who participated in the original public
hearing.
[Amended 3-5-2016]
Only the Board as a whole has the ability, through the Zoning
Administrator, to interact with other boards, including, but not limited
to, the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Town Manager. No individual
member or officer is granted this authority. However, the Board may
delegate certain interactions to subcommittees or individual members.
It must be remembered that the Zoning Administrator is a department
head and is responsible to the Town Manager.
A.
Openness. All matters regarding the Zoning Board of Appeals should
be discussed in an open meeting by and between the members. The members
shall inform the Zoning Administrator of all discussions/meetings
with other boards or departments, and the Zoning Administrator shall
keep all members apprised of said discussions/meetings.
B.
Recusal. Members should protect themselves from receiving information
about a pending or upcoming application or appeal outside of a public
hearing. Members who inadvertently receive such information should
recuse themselves from the public hearing on the matter. Note, members
who are also Town Meeting members are allowed to fully participate
at Town Meeting in any Article that may have bearing on an application
or appeal unless such participation would violate the procedural due
process rights of an applicant or interested party. The Board or applicant
may ask a member to recuse at the time of a hearing; however, ultimately
it is the member's own decision whether or not to recuse. A refusal
to recuse could lead to court intervention, including an injunction
or appeal.
C.
Preparation. Members should take all appropriate steps to be prepared
for public hearings, including but not limited to:
[Amended 3-5-2016]
(1)
Review of all application files and documents prior to the public
hearing;
(2)
View sites; and
(3)
Discuss applications and appeals with the Zoning Administrator.
Should a regular member feel unprepared for a particular public
hearing, she or he should ask the Chair to appoint an associate member.
From time to time the Board may establish certain policies that
may provide guidance to the Board in the consideration of future applications.
Said policies may also provide guidance to applicants and assist in
the enforcement of Board decisions. Policies may only be established
in an open meeting of the Board and require the affirmative vote of
four (4) members. The Zoning Administrator shall maintain a catalogue
of policies.
These rules shall be amended only upon a majority vote of the
Board. Members must receive proposed amendments at least two (2) weeks
prior to voting. All amendments shall be dated and filed with the
Town Clerk.
