Guardione v. Town of Longmeadow

The plaintiff, who owns a two-family residence on a corner lot in Longmeadow, constructed a dry stone wall on his front and side lawns. When the zoning board of appeals of Longmeadow (board) denied the plaintiff’s application for a variance to allow the wall, he appealed to Superior Court pursuant to G. L. c. 40A, § 17. Following a jury-waived trial, the judge annulled the board’s decision. The parties filed cross-appeals. The defendants argue that it was error to conclude that the board’s denial of the variance was unreasonable. The plaintiff argues that the variance should have been granted…