Call for volunteer Zoning Board of Appeals Members

The Melrose Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is an important land-use Board that reviews and makes decisions on requests in quasi-judicial public hearings for variances from the zoning regulations, special permits to establish certain uses in the City, and administrative appeals. There are five full board members and two associate members. 

The ZBA currently has an opening for an Associate member position and is planning for anticipated openings for other membership positions (full and associate).

Full Member

We anticipate open membership positions on the ZBA and seek individuals with backgrounds in law, planning, architecture, or engineering. An ideal candidate will have the professional experience needed for this position, an interest in the built environment, a passion for contributing to the City, an ability to think critically and voice opinions during a public meeting, and the time to commit to attending monthly night meetings.  Regular attendance at meetings is important and expected for this role.

Associate Member

There is an open membership position on the ZBA for an associate member.  An ideal candidate will have the ability to read architectural plans, an interest in the built environment, a passion for contributing to the City, an ability to think critically and voice opinions during a public meeting, and the time to commit to attending monthly night meetings.  The associate members are expected to attend all meetings and participate in the discussion; however, they are only able to vote on cases if a full member is not present.

The ZBA meets on the second Wednesday of the month, and occasionally on the fourth Wednesday, from 7:30 p.m., and the meeting length varies from one hour to three hours.   Planning staff in the Office of Planning and Community Development provide professional support to the Board and administer the cases that are filed for review.

Residents who are interested in applying should visit the City’s Boards and Commissions webpage and select “apply" in the right-hand corner.

To learn more about the Zoning Board of Appeals, review the City’s Charter and www.cityofmelrose.org/board-appeals.