Nichols v. Board of Zoning Appeal of Cambridge

The questions raised by this appeal are: (1) whether, under the Cambridge zoning ordinance, a special permit is required when alterations are made to a nonconforming building to accommodate a change from one permitted accessory use to another permitted use; and (2) whether the renovations, made in this case to implement the change from a garage to an architect’s home office, were as matter of law alterations within the meaning of the ordinance. We are constrained by the terms of the ordinance to answer “yes” to both questions.

We take the facts from the findings of the trial judge. Relying on…