Zoning Board of Adjustment — June 16, 2026
Andover ZBA passes off-agenda motion for new full-time positions and admits to procedural errors in previous decisions.
The meeting featured spirited debate regarding legal procedures and included significant off-agenda decisions regarding board staffing.
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At the June 16 Andover Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) meeting, two significant issues surfaced that warrant community attention regarding transparency and legal procedure.
First, the Board passed a motion to request that the Select Board appoint two full-time members and one alternate to the ZBA. While the board cited the need for better coverage, this substantive motion regarding board staffing was not included on the public agenda. Residents were not given the opportunity to review or comment on this expansion of the board before the vote was taken.
Second, the Board addressed a motion for a rehearing regarding 91 Maple Street. During this discussion, it was acknowledged that a previous decision made by the Board contained procedural errors—specifically, the failure to list the required criteria in the written decision as mandated by state law. The Board ultimately granted the motion for a rehearing to correct these errors.
When local boards make decisions that affect staffing or fail to adhere to state-mandated legal procedures, it is essential for residents to stay engaged and hold their officials accountable to the standards of transparency and law.
Public impact
Request for 2 full-time members and 1 alternate
The board passed a unanimous motion for the Land Use Office to draft a letter to the Select Board requesting the additional positions.
The Land Use Office is tasked with drafting the formal request letter.
Topics discussed
Request to demolish an existing seasonal home and build a new, larger structure (1,400 sq ft) set further back from the lake.
The Board approved the special exception with a condition that all necessary NHDES permits must be obtained prior to construction.
Discussion regarding an appeal by Mary Jurta to rehear a previously denied variance application.
The Board granted the motion for a rehearing, provided that Jurta refiles her application with any new information.
Jurta may schedule the rehearing for the July 14, 2026, meeting, provided the application is filed and abutters are notified.
A motion to ask the Select Board to appoint more members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The motion passed unanimously to have the Land Use Office draft a letter to the Select Board.
The Land Use Office is tasked with drafting a letter to the Select Board requesting two full-time members and one alternate.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Motion for Rehearing: 91 Maple Street
Request for Additional Zoning Board Members
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Accountability flags
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
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gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-06-22.
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