Littleton ZBA hears first case under new state variance standard

Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of September 17, 2026

Littleton Zoning Board of Appeals approves George Street addition, gets briefed on new state variance rule. Town Counsel Thomas Harrington, filling in for regular counsel Chris Heath, told the board the state's rewritten "practical difficulty" variance standard leans toward approval where housing production is at stake, but "I don't want the ZBA to be afraid to say no." Members then converted the evening's only case, Nicholas L. and Giselle A. Chalk's petition for a mudroom and front porch at 22 George Street, from a variance into a special permit under bylaw Section 173-10(B), after determining the addition would not extend past the home's existing nonconforming front steps.

The board unanimously approved the permit, capping the addition at 19 feet from the front property line. Members John Sewell and Rod Stewart also briefed colleagues on a Planning Board session addressing the town's proposed accessory dwelling unit bylaw and unresolved condominium-ownership questions.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,580 words

Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of September 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.