Lamar Central Outdoor LLC is frustrated with Southborough MA officials for slowing down the approval process to get a variance to build a digital billboard.

Lamar is appealing a written decision by the Southborough Building Commissioner who is requiring the Company get a report from the Planning Board before even submitting its application for a use-variance to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Lamar says the requirement is  contrary to the statute and the bylaw. The appeal asks for the application to be accepted and a public hearing scheduled as soon as applicable. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the appeal on Wednesday.

The Commissioner denied a building permit to Lamar indicating digital billboards are prohibited as are “flashing, moving, changing message and animated signs,”. The proposal requires a special permit and use-variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Commissioner indicates the bylaw provides that the Board of Appeals my not act on any special permit or variance application without first receiving a written report from the Planning Board. As a result, Lamar must go to the Planning Board before they can request the use-variance from the ZBA.

Lamar disagrees with the interpretation and argues the Zoning Board can immediately grant the use variance.

On another note there currently is a citizen petition being circulated seeking to eliminate the ZBA’s ability to grant use-variances.  That group hopes to get a Town vote on their proposal this month.

You can see more on this story at Wicked Local.

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