Zoning Board Approves 21 Beach Street Rebuild
Zoning Board · Meeting of August 5, 2026
Hamilton Zoning Board approves smaller-footprint rebuild at 21 Beach Street, hears sweeping state variance overhaul. The board voted 3-0, with Chair Bruce Gingrich, Clerk Andy Phillips and member Stephen DeRocher all voting aye, to grant a special permit for a two-story, 3,600-square-foot home with a three-bedroom deed restriction. Attorney Charlie Clapp said the redesign cuts impervious surface from an approved 15 percent ceiling down to about 10 percent by eliminating a garage and driveway.
Town counsel Robin Stein of KP Law told the board the state's new variance standard requires boards to grant relief if strict enforcement "would result in a practical difficulty," replacing the old hardship test, while conceding "we don't exactly know what practical difficulty means." The board also voted to enter executive session to discuss pending Land Court litigation, Construction Management and Builders Inc. v. the Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,867 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of August 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Keep reading with a 30-day free trial
Subscribe to Essex County News to keep reading this post and get 30 days of free access to the full post archives.
Starting a trial requires a payment method. After 30 free days your subscription begins at the price shown at checkout and renews automatically until you cancel. You can cancel anytime from your account. Subscription terms
A subscription gets you:
- Subscriber-only posts and full archive
- Post comments and join the community
- 24x7 access to local news