Rourke v. Rothman

In this case we consider the meaning of the words “then existing requirements” in a “grandfather” provision of the Zoning Act, G. L. c. 40A, § 6. The defendant Stuart Roth-man is the owner of a plot of land in Orleans (town), which ap*191pears as “Lot 12” on a 1915 town plan (locus).3 Rothman sought to build a single-family residence on the locus, but the town building commissioner (commissioner) denied the permit on the ground that the lot did not have the minimum area and frontage required by the town’s present zoning bylaws. Roth-man appealed to the town’s zoning board of appeals (board),…