Raymond Voter Information Project

Article 7: Zoning Amendment 6

ZBA Time Limits

Click HERE for Town of Raymond Warrant Article PDF

Click HERE for direct link to the text of Town Warrant Article (revised at Town Deliberative Session Feb. 6, 2010).

A landowner may seek “relief” from zoning rules by asking Raymond’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) to grant a Variance (to relax the rules) or grant a Special Exception (if allowed under the rule). This amendment will require the landowner who receives a Variance or a Special Exception to either substantially complete(1) his project within 4 years or return to the ZBA to request an extension of time. If more than 4 years go by, factors that originally justified ZBA relief may change to the point that the relief would no longer be justified.

A YES VOTE requires the applicant to achieve substantial completion within 4 years.
A NO VOTE will continue to allow approved Variances and Special Exceptions without expiration dates.

Pro:

• Provides better communication with applicants and abutters.
• Once substantial completion occurs, the Variance and/or Special Exception is permanent and the landowner may fully complete his project on his own time schedule without returning to the ZBA.

Con:

• Landowners will need to reapply to the ZBA if they decide to delay their projects.
• Requires additional record keeping by the Raymond Code Enforcement Officer to track expiration dates.
• Requires additional record keeping by the landowner, to track expiration dates.

References:
1. The definition of “substantial completion” for a particular Variance or Special Exception is set by the ZBA at the time the landowner applies.

Please send questions/comments to editor@raymondvip.org

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