Meltzer Law Offices
Discussion of real estate and land use law and legal issues, with focus on Massachusetts.
Author: Steve Meltzer is a lawyer in Framingham, Mass., near Boston. His real estate practice focuses on land use issues.
Blawg Related Categories: Real Estate & Property Law • States • Massachusetts • Legal Information
Recent Posts from Meltzer Law Offices
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I've got a new Blog - Please come visit.
I've expanded my corporate regulation and compliance practice and I'm blogging about it. Please visit that Blog. I am devoting the new blog to the education of those on the front lines of privacy issues…
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Stuborn is Alive and Well - New England Fund is a Subsidy for 40B
In a significant decision today, the Supreme Judicial Court, in upholding a Superior Court decision, parted with the Appeals Court analysis and expanded the understanding of a "Subsidy" for purposes of Chapter 40B affordable housing…
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Bellingham Bylaw giving Veto Power to Town Meeting for “Major Developments” is Illegal.
The Land Court has struck down and invalidated a Bellingham Bylaw provision requiring approval of a Concept Plan by Town Meeting for large development proposals. According to the Court, the provision provided that “an applicant…
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Appraiser's Oversight Does Not Negate Standing.
The Appeals Court has reversed a Superior Court judge and found that plaintiffs have standing to appeal a grant of a variance despite an real estate appraiser's oversight regarding the current use of property. In…
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Standing in Zoning Appeal Conferred by Local Bylaw
The Appeals Court has determined that standing to appeal a special permit determination is conferred on an abutter by virtue of a local bylaw. In Sweenie v. Planning Board of Groton, the Appeals Court found…
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Home is where the trailer is: Trailer on lot sufficient to destroy grandfathered lot status
The Appeals Court, in an unpublished decision, has determined that a trailer on a lot, even though not being used at the time of the enactment of zoning, was enough to disqualify the lot for…
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Change in use is a change in use is a change in use
The Land Court has determined that, even though a use has not changed its classification under the town's bylaw, any change triggers the necessity for review. The property changed from potato chip factory to a…
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Town must reach merits of 40B application before determining local need
The Appeals Court has determined that the Town of Wrentham inappropriately denied a 40B (Comprehensive Permit) Application without even assessing the merits of the application. The town denied the permit summarily based upon the fact…
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Regulating Understanding: Can new loan disclosures solve the subprime woes?
As anyone who recently borrowed money to buy a house or refinanced their mortgage can tell you, the stack of paperwork required by the banks is staggering. The “closing package” is so complete (and I…
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Hopkinton’s decision not to buy Weston Nurseries 708 acres could lead to . . . well . . . anything.
After much debate, the townspeople of Hopkinton recently voted down the opportunity to purchase 708 acres from the bankrupt owners of Weston Nurseries. The land was protected under Massachusetts state law, Chapter 61A, as agricultural…