Zoning Board (ZBA)
Grants exceptions to local zoning rules — for example, allowing a building that's slightly too close to a property line. Their decisions can be appealed to court within 20 days.
123 items across 22 meetings.
July 14, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
James MacDonald seeks two Special Permits and a Variance to demolish an existing duplex and build a new duplex with attached one-car garages on a pre-existing non-conforming lot in Residential B zone.
📍 167-169 Pleasant Street, Map 13, Lot 68
📋 Proposed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit for a 4-story, 116-unit rental building — 87 market-rate and 29 income-restricted — on 4.9 acres in the Commercial Highway District; hearing has been ongoing since at least August 2025.
📍 55 West Union Street, Map 19, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
Board to approve minutes from the June 23 meeting.
• Status unclear
Staff updates and miscellaneous administrative items.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
June 23, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
🔄 Postponed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit to build a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres in the Commercial Highway District; hearing continued to July 14.
📍 55 West Union Street, Map 19 Lot 62
📋 Proposed
Xiaofan and Porter Woodward request a Special Permit to add a front porch to a pre-existing non-conforming house and lot in the Residential A zone.
📍 76 Roberts Road, Map 15 Lot 20
📋 Proposed
James MacDonald seeks to demolish an existing duplex and replace it with a new duplex with attached one-car garages per unit on a pre-existing non-conforming lot in the Residential B zone.
📍 167-169 Pleasant Street, Map 13 Lot 68
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative business.
• Status unclear
Meeting close.
June 9, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM, hybrid format, recorded and broadcast on WACA-TV.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland MA
🔄 Postponed
Hearing on the 40B (affordable-housing law) comprehensive permit continued 5-0 to June 23 at 7:00 PM after applicant requested an extension of the conclusion deadline.
📍 55 West Union Street
💬 Discussed
Board closed public comment and will vote June 23 on granting a special permit for a 5'×21.9' porch encroaching 3.7' into the 40-foot front yard setback; all members expressed support.
📍 76 Roberts Road, Assessors Map 15, Lot 20
🔄 Postponed
Proposal to demolish the existing front duplex and build a new two-unit building with attached one-car garages continued 6-0 to June 23; applicant must submit a revised parking plan (8–9 spaces required), reduce curb cuts, and provide Historical Commission demolition approval.
📍 167-169 Pleasant Street, Assessors Map 13, Lot 68
✅ Approved
Both sets of prior meeting minutes approved 5-0-1, with Mr. Mironovas abstaining each time (not present at those meetings).
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
June 9, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
🔄 Postponed
40B (affordable-housing law) proposal for a 116-unit, 4-story rental building on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St (Map 19, Lot 62, CH District); 29 units income-restricted at ≤80% AMI — hearing continued to June 23, not discussed June 9.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 20
📋 Proposed
Owners seek a special permit to add a front porch to a pre-existing non-conforming building and lot at 76 Roberts Rd (Map 15, Lot 20), Residential A zone.
📍 76 Roberts Road, Assessors Map 15, Lot 20
📋 Proposed
Owner requests a variance and two special permits to demolish an existing duplex and build a new duplex with attached one-car garages per unit at 167-169 Pleasant St (Map 13, Lot 68), Residential B zone.
📍 167-169 Pleasant Street, Assessors Map 13, Lot 68
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from the May 12 and May 26 meetings.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative items.
• Status unclear
Routine meeting close.
May 26, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Board reviewed 28 regulatory waiver requests for the 40B (affordable-housing law) project but held off drafting a decision pending soil boring analysis and resolution of a major sewer line placement issue; hearing continued to June 23, 2026 (4-0 vote).
📍 55 West Union Street, Ashland MA
✅ Approved
Minutes approved 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Director Farinacci noted a Special Permit hearing is scheduled for the June 9 ZBA meeting.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM (5-0 vote).
May 26, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit to build a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St, Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
• Status unclear
Approval of minutes from the April 28 and May 12 meetings.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative business.
• Status unclear
Routine meeting close.
May 12, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
40B (affordable-housing law) hearing continued 5-0 to May 26, 2026, pending soil boring results needed to advance sewer system discussion and waiver requests.
📍 55 West Union Street, Ashland MA
✅ Approved
Board ratified 3-0 a previously voted decision for this property after a miscommunication at the prior meeting; Chair Trefethen recused.
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail, Ashland MA
• Status unclear
April 28 minutes were not available for review.
💬 Discussed
ZBA application fees have been updated; new fees were applied immediately to a Special Permit application received the same day.
💰 Fee increases effective immediately for new ZBA applications
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
May 12, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine start of meeting.
📋 Proposed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit for a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St, Map 19, Lot 62, in the Commercial Highway District; hearing ongoing since at least August 2025.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
ZBA will vote to ratify a prior decision regarding Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail; no details about the underlying matter are provided in the agenda.
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail
📋 Proposed
Approval of April 28 meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative items.
• Status unclear
End of meeting.
April 28, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued 6-0 to May 12 pending soil borings; the central dispute is whether sewer can run via gravity down Memorial Drive or requires a pump station the Town opposes — a comparable station costs $2,000/month in electricity alone, plus staffing.
💰 Chestnut Street pump station: ~$2,000/month electricity; 2006 partial rehab ~$1.2M; applicant offered $50K toward two years of pump station maintenance
📍 55 West Union Street
✅ Approved
Board adopted the written decision memorializing its prior vote on the Building Commissioner appeal; Chair Trefethen recused, approved 3-0 by Forestal, Sullivan, and Gurran.
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail
✅ Approved
April 14 minutes approved 6-0 (Trefethen abstained from the portion in which he was recused).
✅ Approved
Abutter notification fees and legal ad fees charged to applicants increased; approved 6-0.
💰 Increases to abutter notification and legal ad fees (amounts not specified)
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.
April 28, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of meeting.
📋 Proposed
40B (affordable-housing law) hearing continues for a proposed 4-story, 116-unit rental building (29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI, 87 market-rate) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St., Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
ZBA will review and approve a draft decision on a Building Commissioner appeal tied to the Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail area.
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail
📋 Proposed
Approve minutes from the April 14, 2026 meeting.
📋 Proposed
ZBA will consider adopting a new fee schedule for permit applications.
💰 Fee amounts not specified in agenda
• Status unclear
Routine close of meeting.
April 14, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM; hybrid format via Zoom and WACA-TV broadcast.
🗳️ Voted on
ZBA voted 3-0 to uphold the Building Commissioner's January 2026 ruling: Ashland Open Space Trust must seek a Special Permit modification and Planning Board site-plan review before repaving Algonquin Trail and Captain Eames Circle, adding sidewalks/medians, and potentially installing access gates.
💰 Residents cited millions of dollars in road-replacement costs borne by condo owners
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail, Assessors Maps 21, 22, and 25
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to April 28, 2026 at applicant's request while engineering report is finalized; hearing deadline extended to May 12, 2026.
📍 55 West Union Street
💬 Discussed
Draft decision needs signatures from members Forestal and Mironovas before filing.
📍 35 Nickerson Road
✅ Approved
Minutes for three prior meetings approved as submitted (or with a corrected date for March 30).
🔄 Postponed
Proposed ZBA fee schedule tabled to April 28 to allow full board participation; no pending applications are affected.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.
April 14, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Ashland Open Space Trust appeals the Building Commissioner's Jan. 21, 2026 ruling that their proposed project change from original approvals must return to ZBA; roadways on Assessors Maps 21, 22, and 25, Residential Multi-Family zone.
📍 Captain Eames Circle and Algonquin Trail
📋 Proposed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit for a 4-story, 116-unit rental building on 4.9 acres — 87 market-rate and 29 income-restricted units (≤80% area median income); hearing ongoing since August 2025.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District
📋 Proposed
ZBA to review and approve the draft decision for the 35 Nickerson Road matter.
📍 35 Nickerson Road
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from three prior meetings.
📋 Proposed
ZBA to consider updates to its fee schedule, which could affect application costs for permits and variances.
💰 Potential changes to ZBA application fees
• Status unclear
Routine close of meeting.
March 30, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
🔄 Postponed
40B (affordable-housing law) hearing continued 5-0 to April 14 at 7 PM; applicant's engineer reports weren't ready, and the statutory deadline to complete the hearing is April 15.
📍 55 West Union Street, Ashland MA
• Status unclear
March 24 minutes were not available for approval.
• Status unclear
No staff updates or administrative matters.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.
March 30, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit to build a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St., Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
• Status unclear
Board reviews and approves minutes from the March 24 meeting.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative items.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
March 24, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM; recorded and broadcast via WACA-TV, Facebook, and Zoom.
✅ Approved
ZBA approved 3-0-1 a special permit for ORB Investments LLC (owner Richard Barbieri) to add a contractor garage to a pre-existing non-conforming residential/commercial building at 35 Nickerson Road (Map 25, Lot 340) in the Industrial zone.
💰 Higher assessed property value expected; minimal additional town services
📍 35 Nickerson Road, Assessors Map 25, Lot 340
✅ Approved
Minutes of the March 10, 2026 meeting approved 3-0-2.
💬 Discussed
ZBA has not been charging applicants for mandatory public hearing notice and abutter-notification costs (~$160–$200 per hearing); a revised fee schedule will be presented at the April 14 meeting for board action.
💰 ~$160–$200 per public hearing currently absorbed by the Town; proposed shift to applicants
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.
March 24, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
ORB Investments LLC seeks a Special Permit to add a garage to an existing building on a pre-existing non-conforming lot and structure (Map 25, Lot 340) in the Industrial zone.
📍 35 Nickerson Road, Assessors Map 25, Lot 340
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from the March 10 meeting.
📋 Proposed
ZBA will discuss amending its application fee schedule.
💰 Fee changes — amounts not specified
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
March 10, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Board reached consensus to require sewer relocation to Memorial Drive per DPW's recommendation, but applicant's attorney warned the cost would likely kill the project and trigger a Housing Appeals Committee appeal; hearing continued to March 30, 2026.
💰 Sewer relocation cost described as "substantial" — no specific figure given; water capacity also revised downward from earlier estimates
📍 55 West Union Street, Ashland MA
🔄 Postponed
ORB Investments LLC seeks a special permit to add a garage to a pre-existing nonconforming building in the Industrial zone; applicant was absent so the hearing was continued to March 24, 2026.
📍 35 Nickerson Road, Assessors Map 25, Lot 340
✅ Approved
Minutes of February 24, 2026 approved 4-0.
💬 Discussed
Chair Trefethen announced he will recuse himself from next week's special meeting on a Building Commissioner appeal because he is one of four trustees of the appealing trust.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.
March 10, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
📋 Proposed
Continued hearing on a 40B (affordable-housing law) proposal by 55 West Union LLC to build a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 affordable at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62, in the Commercial Highway district.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
ORB Investments LLC seeks a special permit to add a garage to a pre-existing nonconforming building and lot at 35 Nickerson Road, Assessors Map 25, Lot 340, in the Industrial zone.
📍 35 Nickerson Road, Assessors Map 25, Lot 340
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from two prior ZBA meetings.
• Status unclear
Staff updates and miscellaneous administrative items.
• Status unclear
Meeting closes.
February 24, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Meeting shifted to Zoom-only due to snowstorm; will be broadcast on WACA-TV and YouTube.
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to March 10, 2026; applicant proposed reducing stormwater monitoring requirement from a 1.75" 6-hour storm to two ½" storms, pending peer-reviewer and town attorney sign-off.
💰 Sewer relocation quotes $40,000–$50,000
📍 55 West Union Street
💬 Discussed
Architect updated facade with recessed bays and confirmed 6 accessible units (5%); architectural peer reviewer accepted the revisions; white vinyl fence agreed upon for abutters.
📍 55 West Union Street
✅ Approved
Minutes approved as amended, 3-0-1, with Associate Member Siegel abstaining (absent that meeting).
💬 Discussed
Select Board appointed Kiran Gurran as ZBA Associate Member; swearing-in pending Town Hall reopening.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.
February 24, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening; virtual-only due to weather closure of Town Hall.
🔄 Postponed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit for a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St, Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
Board to approve minutes from the two prior meetings.
• Status unclear
Routine staff updates and administrative business.
• Status unclear
Meeting close.
February 17, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Meeting shifted to Zoom-only due to snowstorm; originally scheduled as hybrid.
📍 101 Main Street / Zoom
🔄 Postponed
40B (affordable-housing law) comprehensive permit hearing at 55 West Union Street continued to February 24, 2026 at the applicant's request; vote 4-0-0.
📍 55 West Union Street, Ashland MA
• Status unclear
No meeting minutes were available for review.
💬 Discussed
No details recorded in the minutes.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM; vote 4-0-0.
February 17, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of meeting via Zoom only.
🔄 Postponed
55 West Union LLC seeks a 40B (affordable-housing law) permit to build a 4-story, 116-unit rental building (87 market-rate, 29 income-restricted at ≤80% AMI) on 4.9 acres at 55 West Union St., Map 19 Lot 62, Commercial Highway District.
📍 55 West Union Street, Assessors Map 19, Lot 62
• Status unclear
No minutes available for this meeting.
• Status unclear
General staff updates and administrative business.
• Status unclear
Meeting closes.