Filing a Petition

Packets to file a Petition with the Zoning Board of Appeals are available at the Town Clerk’s Office and on our Downloadable Forms and Documents page.  Completed Petitions are then filed at the Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.  

Petitions must be filed with the Town Clerk within 30 days of the decision that is being appealed.

Helpful Information
All petitions must be accompanied by instrument plan survey, completed by a registered professional land surveyor, locating all buildings on the property.  The Zoning Board of Appeals is a judging board and, therefore, cannot make recommendations.  Each petition is judged on the merit of the petition and the evidence submitted in the petition and presented at the public hearing. Please be sure to include as much information as you may deem useful to explain and relate your case.

Required Forms for a Petition
In all cases, Petitioners must complete the Petition Form, Form C: Abutters and Planning Boards, Form D: Specification for Plans and provide a copy of the Inspector of Buildings’ Letter of Denial.  Depending on the type of Petition being filed, Petitioners must then complete the appropriate form from the table below. Forms must be signed by the petitioner or agent.

Variance -  Form A: Variance
Special Permit - Form B: Special Permit
Comprehensive Permit - Form E: Comprehensive Permit

Miscellaneous - Form F: Miscellaneous
Administrative Appeal - Form G: Administrative Appeal

Notices to Abutters and Planning Boards
Petitioners must obtain the name of abutters to the property under consideration from the Assessors’ Office.  This information is then included on Form C: Abutters and Planning Boards.  You must provide two sets of stamped, addressed envelopes to all abutters and to the Planning Boards listed on Form C when filing the Petition.

Number of copies
To file your petition, you must provide packets of all completed forms, placed in alphabetical order behind the petition, the letter of denial from the Inspector of Buildings, and additional lists of abutters and all plans.  Please staple each packet together.  You should file 20 packets for all petitions, with the exception of the Comprehensive Permit, which requires 24 packets.

Filing Fee
Attach a check for the required filing fee made payable to the Town of West Boylston.

Incomplete Petitions cannot be accepted by the Town clerk and will delay the Public Hearing on the matter.

Matters before the Zoning Board of Appeals require a Public Hearing.