Board of Appeals — June 16, 2026
The meeting proceeded in a standard administrative manner with no significant disagreements or heated exchanges recorded.
Public impact
Zoning and Setback Precedents
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The board evaluated requests for setbacks at 5 Phyllis Ave and 2 Sycamore Street. Discussions centered on building overhangs, lot topography, and the requirement to establish a legal hardship for the requested variances.
The board approved both setback variances, with the 5 Phyllis Ave approval conditioned upon a natural buffer zone.
Commercial Signage Regulations
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The board reviewed requests for backlit channel letter signs and renovations to existing signage. Members focused on controlling light pollution by setting maximum lumen limits.
Both sign permits were approved with specific conditions regarding brightness (max 90 lumens per sq ft) and limitations on the quantity of signs.
Decisions logged
Topics discussed
▶ 03:56 Continued Hearing 26-9: 5 Phyllis Ave
A continued hearing regarding a requested setback variance for a new building project.
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The applicant, Dan Carmody, presented updated plans following previous board advice. He clarified that the setback was adjusted due to building overhang specifications and noted a reduction in the requested variance amount. The board also discussed the implementation of a natural buffer zone on the east side of the property.
The board approved an 11.7-foot side setback variance with the condition that a natural buffer zone be maintained on the east side.
▶ 07:55 Hearing 26-13: 60 Wayside Road (Unit C)
A request for a sign permit for two backlit channel letter signs for 'Hinoki'.
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The sign contractor presented plans for two vertical-mounted, backlit channel letter signs. Board members questioned the lighting and noted the signs were smaller and less intrusive than previous signage at the location.
The board approved the sign permit with specific conditions regarding brightness and sign quantity.
▶ 11:58 Hearing 26-15: 2 Sycamore Street
A request for a variance regarding the minimum front yard setback for a proposed portico.
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The applicant requested to install a portico over new front stairs that would sit 21.3 feet from the front property line. The board discussed whether the lot's topography (being wider than it is deep) constituted a hardship and noted the absence of sidewalks in the area.
The board approved the variance for the 21.3-foot front yard setback.
▶ 15:29 Hearing 26-16: 100 District Ave
A request for a special sign permit for Tavern in the Square to renovate existing signage.
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The applicant proposed renovating existing signs with new dimensions. Board members noted that the new signs would actually be smaller than the current ones, representing a reduction in size.
The board approved the special sign permit with conditions on lighting (max 90 lumens per square foot) and a restriction on additional signs.
▶ 20:30 Approval of Minutes
The board reviewed and voted on the minutes from the previous meeting.
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The board reviewed the minutes from the meeting held on May 19th, 2026.
The minutes were approved unanimously.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
5 Phyllis Ave Setback Variance
2 Sycamore Street Front Yard Setback
Community vs. board tension
Action items
Notable statements
We have to establish the hardship. As far as the hardship looking at the lot and the plot plan, it looks like your lot is wider than it is deep. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the necessity of proving legal hardship for the variance at 2 Sycamore Street. ▶ 13:23
Public comment
Accountability flags
Transcript vs. official minutes
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-06-22.