Whately ZBA Stalls Vote on Route 116 Retail Plan
Whately's Zoning Board of Appeals delays action on a 9,100-square-foot Route 116 retail proposal, citing an unresolved driveway bylaw conflict.
Zoning Board · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Whately's Zoning Board of Appeals delays action on a 9,100-square-foot Route 116 retail proposal, citing an unresolved driveway bylaw conflict. Board members spent close to an hour walking through the eight special permit criteria required for approval, which needs either a unanimous vote or a supermajority of the five-member board. One member, Steve, called the application's failure to meet the town's driveway-separation bylaw a "striking issue," while another warned a future parcel split could add a second curb cut to an already contested stretch of Route 116.
Members were split on traffic safety: some called the full-access driveway near a bus stop "not safe at all," while others noted peer reviewers "did not come back with a safety concern." No vote was taken; the board directed staff to prepare a draft written decision ahead of its October 15 meeting.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,010 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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