Wareham Zoning Board Approves Five Cases Under New Variance Law

Zoning Board · Meeting of July 22, 2026

Wareham Zoning Board approves five cases under a new state law that eases residential variance standards. Director of Planning Joshua Faherty told the board that amendments to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, effective July 1, drop the old soil-and-topography hardship test for residential variances in favor of weighing housing-production benefits. Members granted a special permit for a deck rebuild at 6 Oak Hill Road, 5-0, and sign variances for two relocating restaurants, 12 Knots (4-0-1) and Jefe's Mas Cantina (5-0), on Cranberry Highway, both previously nonconforming signs tied to prior tenants.

Chair Nazih Elkallassi called repeat sign variances for name changes alone "insulting" to applicants and urged a bylaw rewrite. The board also approved a garage setback variance at 122 Charge Pond Road, 6-0, and a six-month extension at 2786 Cranberry Highway, 5-0, but continued a floor-area-ratio question tied to a two-unit conversion at 215 Sandwich Road to August 26 pending town counsel guidance.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,359 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of July 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.