ZBA Denies Appeal, Halts Construction at 7 French Road Over Tree Violations

WESTON — May 18, 2022 — Weston ZBA unanimously upholds stop work order against developer who removed protected trees at 7 French Road. The three-member board — Chair Alan Rose, Stephen LaRock, and Natalie Sawyer — voted 3-0 to deny an appeal by Weston French LLC and ruled the developer must file a formal amendment to its special permit before construction can resume beyond exterior weatherproofing. Attorney Jonathan White acknowledged on behalf of the developer that three mature trees were removed without board approval in violation of a 2018 special permit condition, and that two more trees required to flank the relocated driveway are also gone. Abutter Dr. Vincent Agnello, represented by attorney Sanders, argued the proposed replacement planting of six 12-to-14-foot evergreens falls far short of restoring the original screening from French Road Circle, which Agnello described as destroyed by a structure he said has a floor area more than double what zoning would normally permit on the buildable lot. The board also approved a special permit for a generator at 147 Sudbury Road for applicant Alyssa Meinhardt after she relocated the unit to approximately 34 feet from the property line, satisfying the board's concerns from the prior hearing.