Board of Appeals grants continuance for 10th Avenue variance after applicant requests more time

The Board of Appeals voted to grant a continuance for a variance request related to 10th Avenue after the applicant sent a letter asking for more time to respond to staff comments.

"I'm generally inclined to grant the postponement at this time," Mr. Williams, chair of the Board of Appeals, said during the public hearing on Dec. 15, 2025. The chair said the applicant had not appeared and that proceeding without them could lead to an appeal and additional cost to the city.

Planning staff told the board the staff report and agenda were emailed to the applicant on Friday, Dec. 12. "The staff report was emailed to them last Friday," a planning staff member said, and the staff member later told the board the applicant called at about 5:00 p.m. to say she had not received the agenda.

Board members discussed the appropriate length for a continuance. Planning staff recommended roughly 30 days so the hearing could be rescheduled after the holidays, aiming for a date on or before Jan. 15, 2026, if that timing works for the applicant and the clerk's office.

A motion to grant the continuance — to a date to be determined and to be re-noticed by the planning and clerk's offices — was made and seconded; the motion passed by the members present. The chair said staff would coordinate with the town clerk and the planning office to select a new hearing date after the new year.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved minutes from its Nov. 13, 2024 meeting. With no further business, the board adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Next steps: the planning and clerk's offices will re-notice the continued variance hearing once a new date is scheduled.