Mashapaug Road Frontage Variance
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.
- What: an application to divide one rural residential lot on Mashapaug Road into two. The existing house lot keeps 150 feet of frontage; the new lot would have 131 feet, 19 feet short of the 150 feet required, for a new single-family house. All other setbacks are said to be met.
- Where it stands: hearing opened October 21 and continued to November 18 at 6:45 p.m. because only four of seven members were present and a supermajority of five is needed to act on a variance.
- Concerns: neighbors fear runoff and flooding, effects on an abutting septic system and drains, and disturbance of a narrow, sloping lot. The existing house on the parcel was also described as in poor condition.
- Department memos: Board of Health had no objection but recommends locating private wells and keeping new septic 100 feet from wells; Fire and Building had no concerns; Conservation approval is not required now but later land disturbance may need review.
- Why a variance: the rear of the lot borders a river and park land with no road access, so frontage cannot be gained from the back.
- Next: the applicant's full presentation and a site plan showing well and septic locations are expected on November 18; the board will apply the New State Variance Standards.
Sources
- https://www.sturbridge.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212026-441
- Meeting video: 2026-10-21 - Zoning Board of Appeals
Discussion time
About 23 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 - Zoning Board of Appeals | 23 |
Log
- 2026-10-21 - Zoning Board of Appeals - Hearing opened with the legal notice, brief applicant remarks, department memos and neighbor concerns about drainage and septic; continued to November 18 at 6:45 p.m. with no decision for lack of a supermajority.