Many residents are unaware of the responsibilities belonging to the Webster Zoning Board of Appeal. The Board operates under the authority of Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws and acts as the town’s Special Permit Granting Authority regarding the application or interpretation of the town’s zoning bylaws. If there were no zoning bylaws, you could be living next to all sorts of unexpected neighbors like junkyards, factories, nightclubs, or even pig farms.  There’s nothing horrific about any of these types of facilities but it’s better if they were situated in more suitable areas specific to themselves.  Each town’s zoning authority adopts specific ordinances and bylaws regulating the use of land, buildings, and structures.  

At the Webster board’s most recent meeting, they reviewed a site plan for 11 Pavilion Avenue concerning a demolition of an existing lakeside home to construct a new building. The location is on Webster Lake near “the narrows.” Questions were raised about road and water proximity while the board reviewed whether the new construction would be substantially larger than the previous structure and whether there would be a significant impact to the local area. A height restriction of 30 feet maximum was specified to be measured from the lowest point of the property.  Abutters’ comments were also reviewed and after discussion and a geo-map review, a special permit was approved with the normal conditions of the zoning by-laws along with the new height restriction.  Chairman Jason Piader then informed the builder that his special permit was approved and that he now had a 21-day waiting period for any appeals. Following this 21-day wait, he then would have to return to town hall to obtain a Certificate of No Appeal which verifies that the time allowed for appealing has expired and confirms the board’s decision is final. The permit would then be issued by the town of Webster and construction would follow.