The Town of Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals voted Dec. 2, 2025 to grant a special permit that allows a homeowner at 41 Leland Drive to add a second floor and extend an existing rear deck by 8 feet.

The petitioner, represented at the hearing by Rick LeBlanc, told the board the house’s footprint will not change and the work consists of adding "a 2nd Floor to the house" and enlarging the deck toward the water. The building commissioner described the lot as a preexisting nonconforming lakeside parcel and said changes to such nonconforming uses require a special permit from the board.

Board members asked about side and rear setbacks and whether the additions would increase nonconformity. The petitioner confirmed the side setbacks remain unchanged and that the deck extension is toward the rear; the deck sits roughly 35 feet from the water. After reviewing photos and plans provided by staff, a board member moved to grant a special permit, finding the proposed changes "in harmony and not detrimental to the neighborhood." The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; the board chair declared the motion carried.

The board noted that granting the special permit does not substitute for any required building permits; building-code approval and any required inspections must be obtained separately. The chair also reminded the petitioner of a 20-day appeal period and said the special permit must be recorded after that period expires.

The decision concludes the ZBA’s review of the 41 Leland Drive application; the permit may be appealed within 20 days and recording of the approved permit is the applicant’s next administrative step.