Zoning board denies Angle Street deck permit
Zoning Board · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals denies Angle Street deck permit, 3-1, over fire-safety objections. Mary and Jose Duran of 17 Middle Street told the board 18 other neighbors joined their opposition, warning that "the foolish decisions of people are the reason I have a job," a line they attributed to a local firefighter. Member Michael Nyman cast the lone vote in favor; Ron Wilson, Lauren Norton and Chairman Joe Parisi voted no.
Separately, the board voted 4-0 to grant three variances for a new single-family home at 29 Flume Road, applying the state's new "practical difficulty" standard over objections from abutter Margaret Benakis's attorney, who warned against "McMansions on postage stamp lots." The board also approved a 900-square-foot accessory dwelling unit on Rust Island and a $0 extra, six-month extension, to May 15, 2027, of Rogers Street variances tied to the long-vacant Sugar Mag's Restaurant building.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,403 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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