Sturges v. Town of Chilmark

The plaintiffs, who jointly own several parcels of land in the Martha’s Vineyard town of Chilmark, commenced this proceeding in the Land Court in November, 1977, seeking a determination concerning certain statutory and local regulatory provisions which might be applied to restrict their right to use and develop their land.

The issues, which are before us on the cross appeals of the plaintiffs and the town, principally concern two zoning bylaw amendments adopted by the town in March, 1976. One of these zoning changes created, for certain younger Chilmark residents, a youth lot exemption from…