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Zoning Board of Appeals — June 4, 2026

Falmouth ZBA denies informal poll on Falmouth Heights Rd project, citing sewer limits and technical errors.

The meeting involved detailed technical disagreements and a direct refusal by the board to grant an informal poll requested by the applicant.

Date Thursday, June 4, 2026 Duration 0.9h Speakers 15 Public comments 5 Decisions 3 Lively
Proposed west and east elevations, 6 Falmouth Heights Rd Video still
Proposed west and east elevations, 6 Falmouth Heights Rd Frame from meeting video ▶ 21:30

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At the June 4th Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, significant technical and regulatory hurdles were identified regarding the proposed residential conversion at 6 Falmouth Heights Road.

The project, which aims to convert a commercial building into a residence, hit several roadblocks. The Board noted that the current application lacks critical flood zone (AE zone) delineation and may have been filed under the wrong zoning section (10.2 A instead of 10.2 B). Furthermore, the project still needs to satisfy requirements from both the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen.

A point of tension arose when the applicant’s architect requested an informal poll to determine if the Board would support a five-bedroom design. This is a sensitive issue because a five-bedroom home would exceed current septic/sewer flow limits and require an additional variance from the Select Board. The Board declined the request, citing the need for technical corrections and the impossibility of polling a design that currently conflicts with infrastructure capacity.

The hearing has been continued to July 9th. The applicant must return with updated plans that address these technicalities and regulatory clearances. Residents should keep an eye on this development as it touches on land use density and infrastructure capacity in our community.

Jun 4, 2026 0.9h long 15 speakers 5 public comments 3 decisions Lively
Notable statements Drag to browse

“I can't vote to give you permission for a five bedroom when obviously when you turn down, you're gonna have to have a different plan.”

— Suzanne Murphy · Responding to the applicant's request for an informal poll regarding a 5-bedroom design despite sewer flow limitations. ▶ 11:28

“I don't think section ten point two A applies to convert to a single family dwelling... I'm going to suggest to you that you should have applied under [section 10.2 B].”

— Unidentified speaker · Advising the applicant on the legal technicality of the application type for a non-residential structure. ▶ 39:35
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Changes to land use and building density in residential/commercial transition zones.

What happened

The board continued the hearing to allow the applicant to update plans with flood zone data and address the correct zoning section.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Suzanne Murphy, Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The Board processed requests to postpone two ongoing hearings to future meeting dates.

What happened

Both cases were successfully continued to future dates.

Proposed ground floor plan, 6 Falmouth Heights Rd Video still
Proposed ground floor plan, 6 Falmouth Heights Rd ▶ 19:27
Speakers: Kurt Raver, Suzanne Murphy, Carrie Bourn, Tony Petucci, Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

An architect presented a proposal to convert a commercial building to a residence, involving structural alterations and a new garage.

What happened

The Board did not reach a decision, citing the need for technical corrections and further regulatory clearances.

Speakers: Frank Duffy, Stephen Rado, Janice Rado
What was discussed

The applicants presented a proposal to raise an existing barn and construct a new barn exceeding 900 square feet.

What happened

The initial presentation of the project was completed; the board began reviewing site details.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

6 Falmouth Heights Road Residential Conversion

The project involves a complex conversion from commercial to residential use with conflicting requirements regarding the number of bedrooms (4 vs 5) due to septic/sewer capacity limits, and requires a separate variance from the Board of Selectmen.
Board position: The board refused to provide an informal poll of support, instead requiring the applicant to correct technical errors and satisfy regulatory requirements before proceeding.
medium concern

Split votes

Continuance of Case 02326 (402 North Falmouth Highway)
4-1

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
5
Total speakers
3
Addressed
1
Partial
1
Not addressed
Kurt Raver
Partial
As an architect, he presented revised plans for a residential conversion at 6 Falmouth Heights Road. He explained that they are seeking to renovate a commercial building into a home and addressed issues regarding septic flow and setbacks. Key concern
To obtain an indication of the board's support for the design merits before the clients commit to the cost of seeking a sewer variance from the Board of Selectmen.
Board response
The board engaged in a lengthy discussion, with some members expressing concern about the septic/bedroom limit and others suggesting the board could provide conditional approval pending the Select Board's decision. Ultimately, they requested the applicant complete a 'homework list' regarding the flood zone and zoning section.
The board did not provide the 'informal poll' or indication of support requested, but they did listen to the presentation and provided specific guidance on what needs to be corrected for a future hearing.
Carrie Bourn
Addressed
The property owner explained the personal motivation for the five-bedroom request, noting her family has four children. She clarified that if the fifth bedroom is not approved, the space would simply be used as a den or office. Key concern
The necessity of the fifth bedroom for family use (specifically for her twin boys) versus the flexibility of the design.
Board response
The board listened to her testimony as part of the applicant's presentation.
The board acknowledged her testimony and factored the project's context into their decision to continue the hearing.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
A community member questioned whether the applicant had satisfied the Conservation Commission's requirement to show the flood zone (AE zone) on the plans. They also raised a legal concern that the applicant might be applying under the wrong zoning section. Key concern
Ensuring flood zone delineation is included in the plans and verifying the legal correctness of the application section used.
Board response
The board agreed that the flood zone must be added to the plans and discussed the potential need for the applicant to amend the application to a different section (10.2 B).
The board explicitly instructed the applicant to include the flood zone on the plans and discussed the application's legal section.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
A community member asked about the impact of a proposed trellis above the garage door on the required setbacks and requested its inclusion on the plans. Key concern
Whether architectural features like a trellis affect setback compliance.
Board response
The board agreed that the trellis should be included on the plan to ensure a 'clean' application and to confirm it doesn't exceed the profile.
The board accepted the suggestion and told the applicant to include the trellis on the plan.
Stephen Rado
Not addressed
The applicant presented a proposal to raise an existing barn and build a new one at 173 Metoxit Road. He noted the existing barn is in poor condition and requires replacement. Key concern
Seeking a special permit to construct a new barn in the front yard exceeding 900 square feet.
Board response
The board listened to the presentation; no specific response or decision was captured in this segment of the transcript.
The transcript ends shortly after the speaker begins his presentation, so no board response is recorded.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Continuance of Case 02326 (402 North Falmouth Highway) to July 9th.
Requested by the applicant's attorney.
4-1 (aye)
Continuance of Case 02726 (11 Studley Street) to July 23rd.
Appeal of the building commissioner's determination.
Unanimous (aye)
Continuance of Case 01826 (6 Falmouth Heights Road) to July 9th.
The hearing was continued to allow the applicant to address technical requirements and Select Board matters.
Unanimous (aye)

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Community/applicant tension regarding informal polling
At the June 4 Falmouth ZBA meeting, the board refused to give an informal poll on the 6 Falmouth Heights Rd project. Despite the architect's request to gauge support for a 5-bedroom design, the board cited sewer/septic limits... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/falmouth/zoning-board-of-appeals/2026-06-04/ #MeetingWatch #FalmouthMA
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Procedural requirements and technical compliance
Technical errors and missing flood zone data delayed the 6 Falmouth Heights Rd residential conversion project. The ZBA is requiring the applicant to fix zoning section applications and meet Conservation Commission requirements... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/falmouth/zoning-board-of-appeals/2026-06-04/ #MeetingWatch #FalmouthMA
328/280 chars
Split votes and board division
A 4-1 split vote at the June 4 Falmouth ZBA meeting saw one member dissent on the continuance of Case 02326 (402 North Falmouth Highway). The case is now rescheduled for July 9th. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/falmouth/zoning-board-of-appeals/2026-06-04/ #MeetingWatch #FalmouthMA
278/280 chars

X thread

1
The Falmouth ZBA meeting on June 4 revealed growing complexities in local land use, specifically regarding the 6 Falmouth Heights Road residential conversion. Here is what residents need to know about the technical hurdles and board decisions. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #FalmouthMA
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2
The applicant requested an informal poll to see if the board would support a 5-bedroom design, which would require a Select Board variance due to sewer flow limits. The Board declined, stating they cannot vote on a plan that violates current capacity limits.
258/280
3
Beyond the bedroom count, the Board identified several technical failures: the application used the wrong zoning section, lacked mandatory flood zone (AE zone) delineation, and hasn't cleared requirements from the Conservation Commission. 1/2
242/280
4
The hearing is continued to July 9th. The applicant must return with corrected plans and evidence of regulatory progress. This case highlights the tension between commercial-to-residential conversions and our town's infrastructure limits. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/falmouth/zoning-board-of-appeals/2026-06-04/
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Facebook — long form

At the June 4th Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, significant technical and regulatory hurdles were identified regarding the proposed residential conversion at 6 Falmouth Heights Road. 

The project, which aims to convert a commercial building into a residence, hit several roadblocks. The Board noted that the current application lacks critical flood zone (AE zone) delineation and may have been filed under the wrong zoning section (10.2 A instead of 10.2 B). Furthermore, the project still needs to satisfy requirements from both the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen.

A point of tension arose when the applicant’s architect requested an informal poll to determine if the Board would support a five-bedroom design. This is a sensitive issue because a five-bedroom home would exceed current septic/sewer flow limits and require an additional variance from the Select Board. The Board declined the request, citing the need for technical corrections and the impossibility of polling a design that currently conflicts with infrastructure capacity.

The hearing has been continued to July 9th. The applicant must return with updated plans that address these technicalities and regulatory clearances. Residents should keep an eye on this development as it touches on land use density and infrastructure capacity in our community. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/falmouth/zoning-board-of-appeals/2026-06-04/ #MeetingWatch #FalmouthMA

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Update site plans to include flood zone delineation and address potential zoning section amendment (10.2 B).
Assigned: Kurt Raver (Architect) · Due: July 9, 2026
Satisfy Conservation Commission request regarding flood zone/jurisdiction.
Assigned: Kurt Raver (Architect) · Due: July 9, 2026
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.