Wayland ZBA denies Devlin Road addition on 2-2 vote

WAYLAND -- June 11, 2024, Wayland ZBA rejects 16 Devlin Road addition on a tied vote as chair steps down. The four-member panel split 2-2 on attorney Ken Phillips's special permit request for Ernie Patera's one-and-a-half-story addition, short of the four votes a special permit requires; outgoing Chair Joshua Lord and departing member Doug Levine voted yes, while Adam Hirsh and Thomas William White voted no. Member Hunter Perry was barred under the Mullin Rule for missing a prior hearing. Patera had reduced the ridge from 28.5 to 26.5 feet and living area to roughly 2,900 square feet after meeting with abutters, but neighbor Michael Lear said, "Our main issue is the height," with surrounding homes averaging 20 to 22 feet. The board separately approved a Tubo Road accessory dwelling unit 5-0 and continued a 146 Bellum Highland Road garage application to July 9 for incomplete plans. New member Justine Paul was seated; the chair election was deferred, with White agreeing to preside on July 9.