Needham Zoning Board upholds building permit for 98 Falcon Street after neighbors’ appeal

The Town of Needham Zoning Board of Appeals denied an appeal on March 19 by Andrew Yost and Stuti Venkat of a building inspector's determination and a building permit (BR251096) issued for 98 Falcon Street, upholding the acting building commissioner's decision.

Board members opened the hearing by framing a threshold procedural question about timeliness. The building permit had been issued Nov. 28; the appellants sent a request for zoning enforcement dated Dec. 1; the building inspector issued a written rejection on Dec. 4; the formal appeal to the ZBA was submitted early January. Opposing counsel argued the board lacked jurisdiction because case law (Connors and Galvin) requires an appeal challenging the validity of a building permit to be filed within 30 days of issuance. "If you are challenging factors that directly relate…