Zoning Board of Adjustment — May 28, 2026
The meeting was routine, consisting of a single specific zoning request and the approval of previous minutes with no evidence of significant conflict or public opposition.
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At the May 28 meeting of the Hollis Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), the Board approved a special exception that allows for a chicken coop to be placed within a 15-foot setback on a small 0.2-acre lot.
During the discussion, concerns were raised regarding how a structure in such a tight space would impact neighbors, specifically regarding noise, odor, and the management of chicken waste. Because the property is located within a historic district, the Board added a specific condition to their approval: the applicant must also seek and receive approval from the Historic District Commission (HDC).
Decisions involving setback violations on small lots can set precedents for how density and land use are managed in our residential neighborhoods. We will continue to monitor how these exceptions impact local property standards and neighbor relations.
Topics discussed
Joe Cavallaro requested a special exception to place a 5'x7' chicken coop and adjacent run within a 15-foot setback on a small 0.2-acre lot.
The Board granted the special exception, subject to the condition that the application undergoes review and approval by the HDC.
The applicant must proceed with the Historic District Commission review process.
The Board reviewed and moved to approve the minutes from the previous March meeting.
The minutes were approved.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Special Exception: Chicken Coop Installation
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.”
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-07-08.
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