Charlton ZBA Continues Two Hansen Variance Petitions, Cites Premature Hardship Claims

CHARLTON — January 16, 2025 — Charlton Zoning Board continues two Hansen variance petitions pending wetland and boundary reviews. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously continued both petitions filed by applicant Christopher Hansen at its January 16 meeting, declining to rule on either until unresolved threshold questions are answered. On the Saunders Deal Road petition — which seeks relief from Bylaw Section 4.2 to serve three ANR lots off a single common driveway crossing a perennial stream — the board found Hansen had not yet established the legal hardship required for a variance, telling him, "If conservation or DEP is going to allow two crossings, then you really don't have a hardship." On the Highland Road Lot 5 petition, a GPS boundary survey suggests the Charlton-Spencer town line may sit further into Spencer than the 1996 recorded plan shows, potentially giving the lot Ethia Road frontage and eliminating the need for a frontage variance entirely; town assessors and GIS staff are reviewing 1931 boundary plans from both towns. Several Highland Road abutters formally opposed the common-driveway plan, with Lisa Camleary of 62 Highland Road calling it "absolutely opposed — make that clear." Both petitions carry a statutory decision deadline of February 22, 2025; Hansen must submit written extension requests if more time is needed.