The permit was revoked because the property owner was openly using the site as a commercial concert and events center where it was not allowed per zoning map. The Town also refused to put a rezoning question out for town meeting vote despite receiving the required number of signatures on the petition because the rezoning would have violated the comprehensive plan.
Justice Murphy ruled in favor of the town on all counts. She strongly reinforced a municipality’s right to revoke a permit when clear misrepresentations had been made regarding its use and the use was in violation of applicable land use restrictions. This is an alternative way to enforce a claim rather than going to District Court for an 80K action. The Court also upheld the Select Board’s right to make a determination that certain questions not be put to a Town meeting vote.
This case was handled by Kristin Collins and Stephen Langsdorf of Preti Flaherty.
