ZBA Grants Carport Variance at Compton Circle

Board of Appeals · Meeting of September 24, 2026

Lexington's Zoning Board of Appeals grants a 5-0 variance for a Compton Circle carport after grilling the applicant on setback distance. Chair Ralph Clifford led members through the state's newly revised variance standard, which requires boards to weigh whether a sought benefit "can be achieved in a more compliant way," before approving Michael Samra's carport and storage shed, set back six inches from his front property line. Alternate member Thomas Shiple, a non-voting member, said he'd have asked Samra to move the structure back further, calling it "a close call." The board also voted 5-0 to continue a 25 Maple Street earth-removal permit, for 2,200 cubic yards of fill, to October 22, and approved August 27 minutes 4-0 with one abstention.

Zoning Administrator Olivia Lawler noted the Select Board's September 28 consent agenda includes reappointing multiple ZBA members after term limits were abolished.

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Source: the Board of Appeals meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.