What does the ZBA do?

The Zoning Board of Appeals has 3 jobs:

1) To grant variances to landowners. A variance allows landowners to not follow certain zoning regulations, as designated by the Board of Appeals. Variances can only be granted if the landowner demonstrates that their property has a peculiar aspect that would cause "exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship" to follow that zoning regulation. The board will consider the "public health, safety, convenience, welfare and property values" of the district when deciding on whether or not to grant that variance. 95% of the cases the ZBA hears pertain to variances. Learn more about variances here.

2) To hear appeals regarding a decision made by our Zoning Enforcement Officer. The appeal will be granted if the enforcement is inconsistent with either Connecticut General Statues, or our own municipal zoning ordinances.

3) The power to grant a special exception/permit as specifically designated in our zoning regulations. (e.g. §12.1)

One thing I want to emphasize: A member of the ZBA is NOT a legislator. They don't write or decide laws. They simply interpret municipal and state law as it applies to specific cases. A ZBA member acts more like a judge than a legislator. Therefore, your personal opinions about zoning policy should be left at the door when you decide cases.

If elected, I will serve on the Alternates Panel. This means I will only act as a member of the ZBA if one of the members is absent. There are 3 members on the Alternates Panel, and they typically serve in equal rotations, although specific board members can designate specific alternates to serve in their place.