Sheppard v. Zoning Board of Appeal

The plaintiff, Alison Sheppard, appeals, pursuant to § 11 of the Boston zoning enabling act (enabling act), zoning variances granted to her neighbor, Robert K. McGarrell. See St. 1956, c. 665, §§ 2 et seq., as amended by St. 1993, c. 461, §§ 2 et seq. Following a bench trial in Superior Court, the judge ruled Sheppard did not have standing and dismissed her complaint. On appeal, she argues (1) the trial judge improperly concluded that she did not have standing; and (2) the variances granted were illegal.2

We summarize the trial judge’s findings of fact and supple*9ment where necessary from…