Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Lee Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met on June 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM to discuss and vote on several key items. The board debated the creation of a Zoning Administrator position to streamline decision-making, tabled the final decision for further legal review, and held a public hearing on an amendment to a previously approved 69-unit affordable housing project on West Center Canal Street, ultimately approving the amendment unanimously.
Calling to order June 16, 2026 at 5 30 p.m. Town of Lee Zoning Pursuant. I'm here by informing all attendees that the video and audio recording is being made of this meeting. Approval of the meeting. Prior minutes from December 8th, 2025. Does anyone have any questions on it? I move that we accept the uh that we approve the minute for December 8th, 2025. Second. All in favor. Aye. Question regarding minutes. I'm assuming that the December meetings, uh minutes from the prior meeting were approved. Yes, correct. Okay. Okay. None discussion of zoning administrator. So I have provided for you all the description of what the I don't have the national law, but what the board did approve this was a while ago, so I don't remember the nitty-gritty parts of it. Um I brought it up again today because the whole thing about the zoning administrators, we did accept a mass general law. Select board voted on it, and it was passed. I believe their town meeting or just my select board. It was town meeting by laws. Um and what it does, what it allows is that before basically when somebody submits an application to the CPA, it goes in zoning administrator, and the zoning administrator can choose to make a decision upon it that anybody can appeal in that appeal period to bring to the full board. So it doesn't necessarily cut anybody out. And like for example, you let's say you know, um, the zoning administrator made a decision, you don't agree with it. You're on the board, you want the board to hear it, you can appeal it. It comes to the board, and you can still discuss it and vote on it. Like you then have to recruit yourself. So what it does really is something potentially like this project that's been heard by other boards that's been reviewed before, and I think you'll see it it's it's it's not that um much of a change to what the board already um accepted could be heard by zoning administrator, and then we wouldn't have to worry about getting trying to schedule a meeting for so long and having a last minute worry about quorum and things like that. Um also decide the zoning administrator what you want them to hear on if they if you want them to do variances and appeals and special permits or just special permits, or you know, you can choose what they can and can't do. I think that we should definitely have a timeline. Like if somebody applies for a permit and we can't get a quorum within so many days of the validation, then that person could act. But I think that we should still try to bring it from the board to approve it before it goes to the zoning administration, make that decision. I think you're right. One, I mean, one of the purposes obviously is that uh this board particular um and perhaps other boards have had a hard time getting forums together and getting you know hearings done in a timely fashion.