Board of Appeals

The HCAM Board of Appeals held a remote meeting on August 27, 2026, primarily to consider a special permit and variance request from Custom Nest Builders Incorporated for the reconstruction of a single-family home at 69 Haywood Street. The property had been destroyed by fire in 2023, and the proposed rebuild required relief from zoning requirements due to non-conforming lot size, frontage, and setback dimensions. The board discussed the need for both a special permit and a variance, with members debating the legal and practical implications of granting variances versus special permits, especially in light of recent changes to variance standards emphasizing housing production. After deliberation, the board voted unanimously to grant the variance and special permit, allowing the new construction with specified relief from zoning regulations. The decision was noted as significant due to the unique circumstances of the property and the desire to provide permanency for the family involved. No other procurement or contracting matters were discussed during the meeting.