Appeal Fails, ADU Setback Permit Stands

Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of July 16, 2026

Wellesley's Zoning Board of Appeals let a contested ADU permit stand after a 2-1 vote fell short of the unanimous approval needed to overturn it. Chairman J. Randolph Becker and member David G. Sheffield voted to grant abutters' appeal and nullify the building permit for a detached accessory dwelling unit at 365 Weston Road, built roughly five feet from the property line instead of the usual 20, but Vice Chairman Robert W. Levy's dissenting vote, cast while presiding over the item, blocked the unanimity the three-member board needs to act. Attorney Harley Racer, representing appellant Christin Lal of 7 Elmwood Road, warned the ruling "would allow everyone in Wellesley... to put a 900-square-foot ADU in the furthest corner on the property line." Building Inspector Michael Grant's permit stands.

The board also continued a contested teardown at 37 Martin Road to August 13 after six abutters objected, and approved six other special permits unanimously, each with conditions on drainage, trees or construction traffic.

In the full story:

• Bike Realty renewal and Sit Still signage: routine items disposed quickly
• 402 Linden Street: near-identical repeat of a 2024 approval
• 37 Martin Road: six abutters object, board asks for design changes
• 63 Donizetti Street: narrow lot, improved nonconformities
• 206R Cedar Street: lot-area nonconformity only
• 38 Calvin Road: garage dispute collides with a sentimental tree
• 25 and 20 Cavanagh Road: drainage and air-conditioner setbacks
• 365 Weston Road: the ADU appeal
• Other business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,581 words

Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of July 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.