Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hears and decides requests for Variances from the requirements of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance and for Special Exceptions, as allowed by the Zoning Ordinance. The ZBA also hears and decides appeals from Administrative Decisions.
A Variance is the setting aside of certain requirements of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, such as a building setback, to allow a structure to be built or expanded in a way that would not normally be allowed. The State strictly limits the ZBA’s authority to vary from the Town’s Regulations with the finding of “hardship” being the most difficult to demonstrate in most situations.
A Special Exception is required for those uses identified in Article 300, Section 301, of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. Generally, a Special Exception is a use that requires additional review by the ZBA and includes a review of the site plan. If the Special Exception is approved by the ZBA, the development proposal then goes before the Planning Board for Final Site Plan approval.
An Appeal from an Administrative Decision may be requested by any person affected by a decision of the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer with regard to the interpretation or application of the terms of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.
The ZBA is comprised of five elected members, a representative from the Board of Selectmen, and five alternate members, who are appointed by the Board. The ZBA meets once a month on the first Thursday of the month at the Alton Town Hall, at 6:00 p.m. Applications must be received by the Planning Department no later than 4:00 p.m. on the scheduled application deadline date available in the Planning Department, or online.
All application schedules and meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please contact the Planning Department for the most current information.
Information regarding the application process, application materials, and copies of the Town’s land use regulations may be obtained from the Planning Department, located on the first floor of the Alton Town Hall, or you may call 603-875-2162.