Goddard v. Board of Appeals

Because his lot was located in a wetlands conservancy district, the plaintiff was required to obtain a special permit from the board of appeals in order to construct a house on the lot. The board denied the permit, and the plaintiff sought review of the decision in the Superior Court. A judge of a District Court, sitting under statutory authorization, heard the case in accordance with the standards set forth in Josephs v. Board of Appeals of Brookline, 362 Mass. 290, 295 (1972), made findings of fact and concluded (a) that the plaintiff’s lot was a wetland and was correctly located within the…