The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 on Sept. 8 to approve special permits for two residential projects.
At 5 Ridgefield Road, architect Stephen Chung presented plans to replace an existing house and add an attached two-car garage. The board’s review focused on the garage’s intrusion into the required front-yard setback along Ridgefield Road. Chair Thomas W. White said the board’s interpretation of recent changes to state zoning law limited its authority over the project, telling members that the special permit could condition the garage while the underlying house reconstruction could proceed as of right.
The board approved the special permit unanimously, subject to substantial conformity with the plans presented.
At 282 Main St., the board also voted 4-0 to approve a three-season porch and deck project presented by contractor Larry Cohen. The board found that the limited additional encroachment into the existing setback did not meaningfully worsen the property’s nonconformity and conditioned approval on construction following the submitted plans.
Members then spent considerable time discussing recent changes to Massachusetts zoning law and their effect on Wayland’s rules for additions to nonconforming homes. Board members said they still had questions about the scope of the changes and agreed that training with town counsel and the Planning Board would be useful before treating their discussion as a settled interpretation of the law.
The board also approved its 2026 annual report and reviewed draft submission rules for the Restaurant Pre-Order Pick-Up Window Overlay District, including how the Design Review Board could advise on architectural standards.
In another case, the board voted unanimously to continue ZBA case 26-12 concerning 22 Stonebridge Road to Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
